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COMMODORE OLIVER HAZARD PERRY 

United States Navv 



THE 

PERRY'S VICTORY 
CENTENARY 



REPORT 



OF THE 



PERRY'S Victory Centennial Commission 

STATE OF NEW YORK 



COMPILED BY 

GEORGE D. EMERSON 

SECRETARY 



ALBANY 

J. B. LYON COMPANY, PRINTERS 

1916 



£"3 sL> 



E 



\i ;. 



D. of D. 
FEB 20 1917 



REPORT 



OF THE 



Perry's Victory Centennial Commission 
STATE OF NEW YORK 



October 1, 1916. 

To the Honorable the Governor and the Legislature: 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 5, Chapter 190 of the Laws 
of 1913, we have the honor to herewith submit a report of the Perry's 
Victory Centennial Commission of the State of New York, cover- 
ing its work to the first day of October, 1916. 

William J. Conners, Chairman. 

John F. Malone, Chairman Executive Committee, 

William L. Ormrod, Vice-Chairman, 

George D. Emerson, Secretary, 

William Simon, Treasurer, 

Edward Schoeneck, 

Simon L. Adler, 

Edward D. Jackson, 

Jacob Schifferdecker, 

William F. Rafferty, 

Charles H. Wiltsie. 



Contents 



Page 

Battle of Lake Erie — Action of New York State Senate, 1814 1 

Action of the State of Ohio and other States for a centennial celebration ... 3 

New York State Commission 4 

Permanent organization. New York Commission 5 

Interstate Board organized 6 

Perry Memorial design adopted 7 

Raising the Niagara 8 

Celebration dates adopted 10 

Buffalo Centennial Committee 10 

Women's Committee, Perry Centennial 12 

Preliminary gatherings 12 

Trip of the Harvlf 14 

New York Commissioners visit various celebrations 15 

Programme of Buffalo Celebration 17 

Arrival of the Perry flagship Niagara 28 

Opening Exercises, Buffalo celebration 29 

Public meeting, Women's Committee 30 

Official banquet 52 

Public meeting, Buffalo Chapter, Daughters of 1812 80 

Spectacular features, Buffalo celebration, military parade, fireworks, boat 

laces, firemen's parade, aviation, etc 84 

Departure of the Niagara 89 

Work of the Women's Committee 91 

Meeting of Colored people 93 

Various matters, press, police, music. New York Central exhibit, etc 95 

Perry Statue 96 

Financial statement 99 



vi Contents 



APPENDICES 

Page 

A. The Battle of Lake Erie 105-159 

Henry Watterson 107 

Frank H. Severance 113 

George Bancroft 1 28 

William V. Taylor 156 

B. The Perry Memorial, Put-in-Bay 159-168 

Joseph Henry Freedlander 161 

C. Interstate Board, Perry's Victory Centennial Commissioners 169-176 

D. Address by Hon. John M. Whitehead, Put-in-Bay, July 4. 1913. 177-192 

E. America's Message to the Nations 193—206 

Dr. James A. MacDonald, Put-in-Bay, September 10, 

1913 195 

F. Perry's Victory Centennial Commission, State of New York 207—210 

G. Perry's Victory Centennial Committee, City of Buffalo, N. Y. . . 211-214 
H. Women's Committee, Buffalo, N. Y., Perry's Victory Centennial 

celebration 215-219 

I. Official procedings. New York Legislature, Perry's Victory Cen- 
tennial celebration 221 —226 

J. Rewarding the Victors, Muster Roll, American fleet, killed and 

wounded, etc 227-25 1 

K. Official reports, despatches and letters. Commodore Oliver Hazard 

Perry 253-261 

L. Naval operations around Buffalo, N. Y 263-270 

M. Commodore Stephen Champlin, United States Navy 271-276 

N. Official report, battle of Lake Erie, Captain Robert H. Barclay, 

Royal Navy 277-283 

O. Tenth annual encampment, United Spanish War Veterans 284-286 



Illustrations 



Facing Page 

1. Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry Frontispiece 

2. Chairman William J. Conners 8 

3. Hon. John F. Malone, Chairman Elxecutive Committee 8 

4. Secretary George D. Emerson 8 

5. Hon. Simon L. Adler 8 

6. Hon. William L. Ormrod 16 

7. William Simon, Treasurer 16 

8. Hon. Robert F. Wagner 16 

9. Hon. Edward D. Jackson 16 

1 0. Hon. William F. Rafferty 32 

11. Dr. Clinton B. Herrick 32 

1 2. Hon. Jacob Schifferdecker 32 

1 3. Hon. Edward Schoeneck 32 

14. Charles H. Wiltsie 48 

1 5. Arrival of the Niagara at Buffalo 48 

1 6. Colonel John T. Mott 48 

1 7. Henry Harmon Noble 48 

1 8. Governor Charles E. Hughes 64 

1 9. Governor Horace White 64 

20. Governor Martin H. Glynn 64 

2 i . Hon. Louis P. Fuhrmann 64 

22. Deck view of the Niagara 80 

23. The Perry Flagship Niagara 80 

24. Salute to the Niagara, Buffalo, N. Y 80 

25. The Flagship Niagara off her anchorage, Buffalo, N. Y 80 

26. The Niagara at her anchorage, Buffalo, N. Y 96 

27. The Niagara, Wolverine and the Eissex 96 



vu 



viii Illustrations 



Facing Page 

28. Inspecting mementos of Commodore Perry 96 

29. One of the Niagara's guns 96 

30. Map of the battle of Lake Erie 110 

31. " Don't give up the ship " 112 

32. Edward P. Murphy 112 

33. Firemen's Committee, Buffalo celebration 112 

34. Departure of the Niagara 112 

35. Map of Put-in-Bay and vicinity 122 

36. Mrs. Esther C. Davenport 128 

37. Commodore Perry statue, Buffalo, N. Y 128 

38. South face. Perry statue, Buffalo, N. Y 128 

39. North face. Perry statue, Buffalo, N. Y 128 

40. Battle of Lake Erie 1 44 

41. Official invitation, Buffalo celebration 144 

42. Sailing orders. Commodore Perry, June 12, 1813 144 

43. Sailing orders. Commodore Perry. June 12, 1813 144 

44. Hon. Edward H. Butler 1 60 

45. Pennsylvania State medal. Commodore Perry 160 

46. The Mary Alice 160 

47. Naval gunboat Har>>I( 160 

48. Special order. Commodore Perry 176 

49. Wine case from the Laxvrence 1 76 

50. Buffalo Historical Society mementos 1 76 

5 1 . Captain William L. Morrison 1 76 

52. Commodore Elisha P. Hussey 192 

53. The Perry Memorial, Put-in-Bay 192 

54. Winter scene at the Perry Memorial, Put-in-Bay 192 

55. Commodore George H. Worthington 192 

56. Colonel Henry Watterson 208 

5 7. Hon. A. E. Sisson 208 

58. Webster P. Huntington 208 



Illustrations ix 



Facing Page 

59. Mackenzie R. Todd 208 

60. Main Street. Buffalo, N. Y 224 

61 . Motor Boat Races, Perry Centenary, Buffalo, N. Y 224 

62. March up Main Street, Perry Centenary, Buffalo, N. Y 224 

63. Naval Militia, Perry Centenary, Buffalo, N. Y 224 

64. Troop I, First New York Cavalry, Perry Centenary, Buffalo, N. Y. . 240 

65. Advertising the Perry Centenary, Buffalo, N. Y 240 

66. Hon. William J. Stern 240 

67. The Perry's Victory Centennial Commission and the Perry's Victory 

Centennial Committee 240 

68. Women's Committee, Perry Centenary, Buffalo, N. Y 256 

69. General Samuel M. Welch 256 

70. The Court of Honor, Perry Centenary, Buffalo, N. Y 256 

71 . Commodore Stephen Champlin 256 

72. Map of the Niagara Frontier 264 

73. Captain Robert H. Barclay 272 



The 
PERRY'S Victory Centenary 



THE GREAT NAVAL BATTLE, known officially in the annals of the 
United States Navy as the Battle of Lake Erie, but more popularly 
designated Perry's Victory, was fought at about eight miles north- 
west of Put-in-Bay (South Bass Island) in Lake Erie, on the tenth day 
of September, 1813. Two fleets contended for the mastery in this action 
— an American fleet commanded by Conmiodore Oliver Hazard Perry 
and a British fleet under Captain Robert H. Barclay. Victory, as is 
well known, rested with the American squadron. The results of the 
battle were far reaching in their extent. By it was not only the control 
of the lakes assured to the Americans, a great issue of itself in the early 
part of the War of 1812, but it also made certain that the vast extent of 
territory now covered by the western part of the State of Pennsylvania, 
northern Ohio, northern Indiana, northern Illinois, and all of the States 
of Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota was thenceforward to be a part 
of the United States of America and its flag the Star Spangled Banner 
and not the Union Jack of Great Britain. 

As an evidence of appreciation, at an early day. of the great victory 
won by Commodore Perry, the following action was taken by the Senate 
of the State of New York, February 3, 1814: 

The Senate of the State of New York, feeling a deep interest in the welfare 
of our beloved country, desirous that its rights be asserted and its honor maintained, 
anxious for its prosperity and glory and grateful to all whose exertions have pro- 
moted these objects, resolve as follows: 



State of New York 



Resolved unanimously). That the Senate views with the highest satisfaction, 
pleasure and pride, the victory obtained by the Navy of the United States, on 
Lake Erie, under the command of Commodore Ohver H. Perry, over the Navy 
of Great Britain, on that lake, on the 1 0th day of September last, a victory as 
glorious, by the lustre which it reflects on the nation, as by the important advantages 
which it secures to her cause. 

Resolved unanimously. That the Senate entertains the highest sense of the valor, 
skill and conduct of Commodore Perry in his arduous engagement with the British 
fleet, and hereby declares to the world the profound gratification it feels to him for 
this great achievement, which, while it has exalted his country, has covered his own 
name with immortal glory. 

Resolved, That the Governor of this state be requested to communicate these 
resolutions to Commodore Perry. 

In compliance with the resolutions the Governor, on February 5, 1814, 
addressed Commodore Perry the following letter: 

Albany, February 5, 1814. 

Sir.. — I have the honor to present to you the resolutions of the Senate of the 
State of New York, expressive of their high sense of the valor, skill and conduct 
displayed on the I 0th day of September last, in the victory obtained by the Navy 
of Lake Erie under your command, over that of Great Britain, and of their profound 
gratitude for that great achievement. 

Permit me, at the same lime, to say that my own estimation of the conduct 
exhibited on the memorable 1 0th of September harmonizes with that of the Senate, 
and to declare my own feelings of gratitude to yourself and to the heroic officers and 
men who fought with you on that signal occasion. 

With great consideration and esteem, I am. Sir, 

Your Obedient Servant, 

Daniel D. Tompkins. 

Commodore OLIVER H. Perry. 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 



To this letter Commodore Perry made the following reply: 

Newport, March 28, 1814. 

Sir. — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, covering reso- 
lutions of the Senate of the State of New York in relation to the action of the 
10th of September, 1813, on Lake Erie. It is a source of great pleasure to me 
that my exertions in the cause of my country should be viewed in a favorable light 
by so respectable a body as the Senate of the State of New York. I feel highly 
gratified also in your testimony in favor of my brave officers and men. 

I have the honor to be. Sir, 

Your Obedient Humble Servant, 

O. H. Perry. 

His Excellency, DaNIEL D. TompkINS. 

The first movement towards commemorating the one hundredth anni- 
versary of this battle was inaugurated by the State of Ohio. In 1 908 the 
Ohio General Assembly authorized the Governor to appoint five com- 
missioners to prepare and catty out plans for a centennied celebration and 
authorized the commissioners thus appointed by Governor Andrew L. 
Harris, on June 22, 1908, to invite the co-operation of the lake States 
and the commonwealths of Rhode Island and Kentucky. During a period 
of two years following, this invitation was accepted by the appointments of 
commissioners, in the order named, in the States of Pennsylvania, Michi- 
gan, Illinois, Wisconsin, New York, Rhode Island, Kentucky and 
Minnesota, and later the State of Louisiana appointed commissioners, 
as did also the United States government pursuant to Act of Congress. 

In the State of New York, on the twenty-fifth day of January, 1910, 
resolutions accepting the invitation extended by the State of Ohio, and 
providing for the appointment by the Governor of a Perry's Victory 
Centennial Commission, were offered by the Hon. Henry W. Hill, 
Senator from the Forty-eighth District, known as concurrent resolution 23. 



State of New York 



Tliere was some opposition to the proposition at first but through the exer- 
tions of Mr. Hill, in which he was greatly aided by the late Hon. TTiomas 
F. Grady in the Senate and the late Hon. Edwin A. Merritt in the Assem- 
bly, the resolutions were adopted in both houses of the Legislature. Under 
the authority thus conferred Governor Charles E. Hughes, on July 20, 
1910, appointed the following citizens as commissioners: Ogden P. 
Letchworth, Buffalo, N. Y. ; George D. Emerson, Buffalo, N. Y.; 
John T. Mott. Oswego. N. Y. ; Clinton B.Herrick, M. D.. Troy, N. Y., 
and Henry Harmon Noble, Essex, N. Y. Mr. Letchworth resigned the 
appointment February 25, 1911. Mr. Mott January 8. 1913. and Mr. 
Noble June 6. 1913. Mr. William Simon of Buffalo, N. Y., was 
appointed May 9, 1911, in place of Mr. Letchworth; Mr. WilHam J. 
Conners of Buffalo. N. Y., on January 8, 1913, in place of Mr. Mott, 
and Mr. WiUiam F. Rafferty of Syracuse, N. Y., on June 16, 1913, in 
place of Henry Harmon Noble, resigned. Dr. Clinton B. Herrick died 
in Florida. March 23, 1915, and was succeeded by Charles H. Wiltsie 
of Rochester, N. Y. 

A bill was passed by the Legislature of 1913, and approved by the 
Governor April 3rd, becoming Chapter 190 of the Laws of 1913, reor- 
ganizing the Commission and making an appropriation of $150,000 for a 
celebration in New York State and in aid of the memorial to be erected 
at Put-in-Bay, Ohio, in memory of Commodore Perry and his officers 
and men who took part in the battle of Lake Erie. Under this act six 
members were added to the original Commission, viz : The Lieutenant- 
Governor exofficio, two State Senators and three Members of the Assem- 
bly, to be appointed respectively by the temporary President of the Senate 
and the Speaker of the Assembly. Pursuant to this provision the follow- 
ing became additional members of the Commission: Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor Martm H. Glynn, Senator John F. Malone, Senator William L, 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 



Ormrod and Assemblymen Simon L. Adler, Edward D. Jackson and 
Jacob Schifferdecker. On October 16th, Lieutenant-Governor Glynn 
became Governor of the State in place of William Sulzer and thereby 
vacated his membership in the Commission. He was succeeded by the 
Hon. Robert F. Wagner of New York City, whose term of office expired 
December 31, 1914. He was followed by the Hon. Edward Schoeneck 
of Syracuse, N. Y., Lieutenant-Governor. 

PERMANENT ORGANIZATION 

April 23, 191 3, a meeting of the Commission was held in the Ten Eyck 
Hotel at Albany, N. Y., at which time the following officers were elected: 
Chairman, William J. Conners; Vice-Chairman, William L. Ormrod; 
Treasurer, William Simon; Secretary, George D. Emerson. A by-law 
was adopted at this meeting providing for the appointment of an Executive 
Committee to take immediate charge of the work of the Commission. 
The Executive Committee thus authorized was organized by the appoint- 
ment of Senator John F. Malone, Chairman, Messrs. Martin H. Glynn, 
Simon L. Adler, Edward D. Jackson, Jacob Schifferdecker and the 
Chairman of the Commission, ex-officio. 

As the work progressed employees were appointed from time to time, 
and during the preparations for the celebration at Buffalo and in its 
execution, the following were connected with the work of the Commission : 
Clarence J. Murphy, stenographer; James Reed, Martin L. O'Shaugh- 
nessey, Charles J. Hahn, Joseph Stockmar, Samuel Meyer and Henry 
J. Weber, clerks; and Michael Rozewski, messenger. A publicity bureau 
was also established and placed in charge of James F. Doyle as chief 
and Benjamin L. Peer as assistant, both experienced newspaper men and 
thoroughly adapted for the work contemplated. The office of the 



State of New York 



Commission was located at No. 386 Ellicolt Square, Buffalo, N. Y., 
and the Citizens' Bcmk of Buffalo made its depository. 

On the 1 0th day of September, 1910, Commissioners representing the 
various states which had entered into the movement met at Put-in-Bay, 
Ohio, and formed an organization under the name of the Interstate Board 
of the Perry's Victory Centennial Commissioners. Conmiissioner George 
H. Worthington of Ohio was elected President-General; Commissioner 
/Henry Watterson of Kentucky, Vice-President General; Commissioner 
Webster P. Huntington of Ohio, Secretary-General; Commissioner A. E. 
Sisson of Pennsylvania, Treasurer-General, and Commissioner Harry 
Cutler of Rhode Island, Auditor-General. TTiese officers have been con- 
tinued to the present time. Commissioner Clinton B. Herrick of New 
York, was made a member of the Elxecutive Committee and Commis- 
sioner George D. Emerson a member of the Committee on Legislation 
and Publicity. Commissioner O. P. Letchworth was chosen Vice- 
President-General for the State of New York for the years 1910-191 I ; 
Commissioner Henry Harmon Noble for the years 1911-1912, and 
Commissioner Willijim Simon, 1912-1913 and 1914. At the annual 
meeting of the Board at Put-in-Bay, September 10th, 1914, Commis- 
sioner Simon L. Adler was appointed a member of the Executive Com- 
mittee and Commissioner William L. Ormrod Vice-President-General 
for the State of New York for 1914-1915. At the annual meeting at 
Put-in-Bay, September 10th, 1915, Messrs. Adler and Ormrod were 
reappointed to these respective positions. 

Under the original statutes and resolutions of the different states, the 
purpose of the Interstate Board was to arrange for and to supervise the 
erection of a suitable memorial at Put-in-Bay, Ohio, in memory of Com- 
modore Oliver Hazard Perry and the officers and men of his fleet who 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 



participated in the naval battle, September 10, 1813, and an appropriate 
celebration in connection therewith. A meeting of the Interstate Board 
was held in the New Willard Hotel, Washington, D. C, January 29, 
1912, participated in by Commissioners George D. Emerson and William 
Simon of New York, at which time the design for the memorial was 
adopted, the proposition accepted being that submitted by J. H. Freed- 
lander and A. D. Seymour, Jr., of New York City. The selection was 
made after a competition in which fifty-four designs were presented. 
Put-in-Bay, Ohio, was selected as the site of the proposed monument, it 
being the point at which the fleet of Commodore Perry was at anchor 
when the approach of the British vessels was discovered on the morning 
of September 10, 1813, and near which the fighting took place. On 
South Bass island, upon which the monument is erected, the officers 
killed in the battle, three of the American fleet and three of the British 
fleet, were buried the second day after the fight, appropriate funeral 
services being held, attended by officers and men of both fleets. TTie 
plan adopted, in brief, comprises a central shaft, 3 1 7 feet in height, 
constructed of New England granite, surmounted by a tripod eighteen 
feet high, containing a powerful electric light, the whole resting on a 
plaza 750 feet long by 458 feet in width. Flanking the central shaft 
there is proposed to be erected two buildings of the same material as the 
shaft, an historical museum and a memorial building, the whole adjacent 
to and facing the bay where Commodore Perry's fleet anchored and 
looking in the distance at the scene of the action. When completed it 
will rank with any similar structure in the world. 

At the annual meeting of the Interstate Board, at Put-in-Bay, Septem- 
ber 10, 1912, contracts aggregating $357,000 were authorized, an amount 
sufficient to complete the memorial shaft, and this part of the work is now 



8 State of New York 

finished. The contract was awarded to J. C. Robinson & Son of New 
York City. At the meeting of the Interstate Board in Cleveland, Ohio, 
November 19, 1913, provision was made for completing the plaza as far 
as the funds available would permit. At the annual meeting of the Inter- 
state Board, held at Put-in-Bay, September 10, 1914, Honorable A. E. 
Sisson, Treasurer-General, reported that to July 26, 1914, the total cost 
oi work on the Put-in-Bay Memorial, partly paid by the Interstate Board 
and partly by the Ohio State Commission and including site and clearing 
same, architects' fees, legal expenses, etc., was $312,127.84. 

RAISING THE NIAGARA 

As the movement progressed the proposed celebration widened very 
materially in its scope. In the latter part of the year 191 1 and early in 
the year 1912 the project of raising, from her long resting place. Perry's 
flagship, the Niagara, was agitated, and at the annual meeting of the 
Interstate Board held at Put-in-Bay, Ohio, September 10, 1912, finally 
took definite shape. Soon after the close of the War of 1812, the two 
brigs which had served Commodore Perry as flagships during the battle 
of September 10, 1813, the LaivTence and the Niagara, were scuttled and 
sunk in Misery Bay, Erie harbor, Pennsylvania. In 1876 during the 
Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia, the Lawrence was raised, trans- 
ported to Philadelphia, cut up and the pieces sold for souvenirs. The 
Niagara, however, was not disturbed prior to March, 1913. The prop- 
osition finally adopted was that the Niagara should be raised from under 
the waters of Misery Bay, restored to her original lines and taken on a 
trip through the great lakes, calling at such cities as were willing to 
organize a local celebration in honor of the visit of the old war vessel. 
The Pennsylvania State Commission asked the privilege of doing the work 




WILLIAM J. CONNERS 

Chairman, Perry's Victory Centennial Commission, 
State of New "^'ork 




HON. JOHN F. MALONE 

Chairman, Executive Committee, Perry's Victory Centennial 

Commission, State of New York, State 

Senator, ]9I 3-1914 




GEORGE D. EMERSON 

Secretary. Perry's Victory Centennial Commission, State of 
New 'i'ork 




HON. SIMON L. ADLER 

Member of Assembly, 1912-13-14-15-16. and Member of 

Perry's Victory Centennial Commission, 

State of New ^'ork 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 



of raising and refitting the Niagara at their own expense and it wa» 
granted. Divers who had examined the remains of the Niagara under 
water reported the wood composing her to be in good condition and that 
there was no question but that she could be raised and rebuilt. 

It is with the greatest pleasure that we are able to report that this 
project, unique in the history of the navies of the world, was successfully 
carried out and that millions of people along the great lakes and adjacent 
thereto, were enabled to look upon and visit a war vessel which had taken 
part in a great naval battle 1 00 years before and which again traversed 
the waters sailed over at that time. It is impossible to describe in words 
the enthusiasm which the appearance of this time honored craft aroused 
in the multitudes who were permitted to share in the wonderful spectacle, 
unequalled in any generation and which possibly may never be duplicated. 
In April, 1913, the Niagara was raised from under the waters of Misery 
Bay, taken ashore and rebuilt. She was launched June 7th, almost an 
exact century after her original entry into the waters of Lake Erie. 
Masts, rigging and cannon after the style of the brig of 1813, were 
procured at the Boston Navy Yard and at the time of the first celebra- 
tion, which took place at Erie, Pennsylvania, commencing July 6th, the 
rejuvenated war vessel was fully equipped and ready for her latter day 
voyage. 

In compliance with invitations issued by the Interstate Board, repre- 
sentatives from the various cities along the lakes, which were planning to 
have local celebrations, met with the Interstate Board at the annual meet- 
ing at Put-in-Bay, September 10, 1912. After considerable discussion 
as to the proposed chain of celebrations, based upon a visit of the Niagara 
to different lake ports, an adjournment was had to meet in Detroit, 
Michigan, in October. A meeting was duly held at the Ponchartrain 



10 State of New York 



Hotel, October 2nd. At this meeting a schedule of celebrations was 
arranged, and after some modifications, decided upon as follows: 

Eric, Pa Week of July 6th July 1 3th 

Fairport. Ohio July 1 4th 1 5th 

Lorain. Ohio 1 5th 20th 

Put-in-Bay. Ohio 20th 26th 

Monroe. Mich 26th 27th 

Toledo. Ohio 27th 30th 

Milwaukee, Wis Aug. 4th Aug. 8th 

Green Bay, Wis. . 10th 1 3th 

Chicago. Ill 16th 21st 

Put-in-Bay. Ohio 26th 28th 

Buffalo. N. Y Sept. 2nd Sept. 6th 

Sandusky, Ohio 8th and 9th 

Put-in-Bay. Ohio 1 0th and 1 1 th 

Detroit, Mich 1 2th and 1 3th 

Cleveland. Ohio 14th 1 7th 

BUFFALO COMMITTEE 

In the meantime, anticipating the outcome of the proposed series of 
celebrations, the people at Buffalo had taken active steps for the organiza- 
tion of a Citizens' Committee. Resolutions were adopted by the Common 
Council and approved by the Mayor, providing for the appointment of a 
Perry's Victory Centennial Committee of the city of Buffalo, to be con- 
stituted as follows: The Mayor, President of the Board of Councilmen, 
President of the Board of Aldermen and all members of the New York 
State Commission residing in Buffalo, ex-officio, nine citizens to be named 
by the Mayor, three councilmen to be named by the President of the 
Board of Councilmen, seven aldermen to be named by the President of 
the Board of Aldermen, and five members of the Chamber of Commerce 
to be selected by the President of that body. The following appoint- 
ments were made under the authority conferred by the resolution : 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 11 



Mayor of the City of Buffalo. Hon. Louis P. Fuhrtnann; President. Board of 
Councilmen. Charles L. Willert (1912). Horace C. Mills (1913): President. 
Board of Aldermen, George K. Staples (1912). Edward Sperry (1913); all 
members of New York State Commission residing in Buffalo. 

Citizens* Committee: Charles R. Wilson. Frederick J. Meyer. Michael Nellany. 
Thomas Stoddart. Gen. G. Barrett Rich. Leslie J. Bennett. George C. Ginther. 
Henry C. Steul. Hon. Henry \V. Hill. 

Board of Councilmen: Francis T. Coppins. B. Dorasewicz. 

Board of Aldermen: Col. George J. Haffa. George J. Burley. Thomas H. 
McDonough, John P. Sullivan. William G. Humphrey, George Vosseller. Edward 
Stengel. 

Chamber of Commerce: M. Emmett Taber. O. H. P. Champlin. Gen. Edgar 
B. Jewett. Gen. Samuel M. Welch and Captain Thomas E. Boyd. 

The following were subsequently by a vote of the committee appointed 
additional members: Dr. Francis E. Fronczak. Colonel Charles J. 
Wolf, Captain George H. Norton, Harry J. Knepper. Charles F. Reif. 
Frank H. Severance, Richard L. Kirtland, Charles E. Baker. 

The Committee was organized in the Mayor's Office, Buffalo. June 1 2, 
1912, by the election of the following officers: George D. Emerson. 
Chairman; General Edgar B. Jewett, Vice-Chairman; Harold J. Balliett, 
Secretary ; Gen. G. Barrett Rich, Treasurer. The time for the celebra- 
tion in Buffalo was designated September 2nd to 6th inclusive, and the 
City Committee, above named, continued in existence until the close of 
the celebration, forming a most valuable auxiliary to the State Commis- 
sion in assisting to plan and carry on the very successful celebration which 
was held in the city of Buffalo. Soon after his election as Secretary of 
the State Commission, Mr. Emerson resigned the chairmanship of the 
Committee and was succeeded by General Edgar B. Jewett. In 1912 
the city of Buffalo appropriated the sum of $2,500 for the use of this 



12 State of New York 



Committee in connection with the celebration, and in 1913 the further 
sum of $3,400. 

WOMEN'S COMMITTEE 

In November, 1 9 1 2, a Women's Committee, to assist in the celebration, 
was appointed with Mrs. Esther C. Davenport, a long time member of 
the editorial staff, Buffalo News, as Chairman. Mrs. Davenport called 
to her assistance a large force of the best known and most capable women 
in the city of Buffalo, and under their leadership a series of receptions 
and other functions was arranged, designed especially for the entertain- 
ment of the distinguished visitors who should come to Buffalo during the 
celebration. These several functions were cared for in a most delightful 
manner and contributed very largely to the feeling of satisfaction with 
which the celebration was very generally received. A full list of the 
Women's Committee appears as an appendix to this report and the part 
borne by the Committee is included later in the report. 

Preliminary to the work of organizing the celebration in Buffalo, two 
important gatherings took place in that city which called still greater 
attention to the importance of the project and directed public thought to its 
preparations. The first of these was the meeting of the Intercities Com- 
mittee, Perry's Victory Centennial Celebration, on the I 1th and 12th of 
December, 1912, at the Iroquois Hotel. Representatives were present 
from eleven of the lake cities and the city of Louisville, Kentucky, for the 
purpose of considering features which might be made common in all the 
cities proposing to hold Perry Victory Centennial celebrations. Many 
designs for street decorations, including a Court of Honor, pageants, fire- 
works, spectacular dramas, official souvenirs, etc., etc., were considered. 
A very pleasant feature of the gathering was an automobile ride, arranged 
by the Buffalo local committee, during which a visit was made to the 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 13 

rooms of the Buffalo Historical Society, where a number of relics of the 
Perry fleet are deposited; to Forest Lawn Cemetery, where a memorial 
wreath was placed by Commodore George H. Worthington, President- 
General, at the request of the Buffalo Committee, on the grave of Com- 
modore Stephen Champlin, U. S. Navy, who commanded the Scorpion 
in the battle of Lake Erie, September 10th, 1813; to Scajaquada Creek, 
in which was located in 1812 and 1813 the ship yard where five of Com- 
modore Perry's vessels were fitted out for the naval service and to " The 
Front," a section of the Park system, overlooking the head of Niagara 
Rivi^r, the scene of Lieutenant Jesse D. Elliott's bold exploit on the night 
of October <5th, 1812, in cutting out the Caledonia and Detroit, two 
British vessels, from under the guns of Fort Erie, where they lay at anchor. 
TTie second of these events was a Perry Centennial banquet, given at 
the Iroquois Hotel, Saturday evening, March 27th, 1913, by the Buffalo 
Yacht Club, at whose dock by courtesy of the club, the flagship Niagara 
was anchored during her stay in Buffalo in the September following. 
In addition to the members of the club a number of invited guests were 
present, including the Hon. John P. Sanborn of Newport, Rhode Island, 
Chairman of the Rhode Island Commission, and Mayor William J. 
J. Stern of Erie, Pa., Chairman of the Intercities Committee, Perry's 
Victory Centennial Celebration. Dr. Elisha P. Hussey, Commodore of 
the club, acted as toastmaster. Addresses were made by the Mayor of 
Buffalo, Hon. Louis P. Fuhrmann; Secretary George D. Emerson of 
the New York Commission, Hon. Peter A. Porter of North Tona- 
wanda, Frank H. Severance, Esq., of the Buffalo Historical Society, 
Mayor Stern and Chairman Sanborn. During Mr. Severance's address 
he exhibited the original order, written and issued by Commodore Perry 
in June, 1813, for the transfer and sailing from Buffalo to Erie, Pa., to 



14 State of New York 

join the balance of the fleet there, of the vessels Caledonia, Somers, 
Trippe, Ohio and Amelia. The formal speeches were varied by 
appropriate music. 

The schedule for the trip of the Niagara provided that the flagship 
should leave Erie, Pennsylvania, at the close of the celebration at that 
place, July 13th, for her long trip through the lakes to Chicago, returning 
thence to Buffalo, for the celebration, and from there to Put-in Bay for 
the ceremonies on the Centennial day. The question of a suitable escort 
came up. It w^as deemed unwise or impracticable for the Niagara to 
make the trip under her own sails and the Pennsylvania State Commission 
placed the United Stales naval gunboat Wolverine, stationed at Erie, at 
the disposal of the Interstate Board for the voyage and it was finally 
arranged that the Niagara should be towed by the Wolverine through her 
extensive travels. The Ohio State Commission placed in service the 
United States naval gunboat Essex and the Secretary of the United 
States Treasury detailed the revenue cutters Tuscarora and Morrell for 
escort duty. The naval gunboat Yaniic was also attached to the fleet, 
by the courtesy of the Michigan State Commission. The New York State 
Commissioners realizing that it was their duty to furnish a similar vessel foT 
the service, arranged to have the United States naval gunboat Hatvk, 
ordinarily stationed at Buffalo, for the use of the naval militia, form a 
part of the escort. The Hawk left Buffalo July 26th, under com- 
mand of Lieutenant Thomas W. Harris, N. M. N. Y., joined the fleet 
at Put-in-Bay, going with it from there and taking part in a number of 
the celebrations at different points. Commissioner William L. Ormrod 
was designated by the Commission to accompany the Hawk as the repre- 
sentative of the New York State Commission and performed that duly. 
In addition to the vessels named. Commissioner William J. Conners, 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 15 

Chairman of the New York State Commission, left Buffalo in his hand- 
somely equipped yacht, the Mar^ Alice, and with it, as a part of the 
visiting squadron, made the trip to Chicago participating en route in the 
celebrations at Erie, Lorain, Toledo, Milwaukee and Chicago. TTie 
New York State Commission was also otherwise well represented at a 
number of the celebrations. Commissioner Adler visited the celebrations 
at Erie, Toledo, Cleveland, Milwaukee and Louisville. Commissioner 
Emerson was present at Erie, Green Bay and Louisville. Commissioner 
Schifferdecker was present at Louisville, and Commissioner Herrick at 
Cleveland and Louisville. Commissioner Rafferty also attended the 
Louisville celebration. At each of these points, the New York Com- 
missioners were well received and very courteously entertained. 

On July 4th, 1913, the cornerstone of the Perry memorial at Put-in- 
Bay was laid with full Masonic ceremonies by the Grand Master of 
Masons of the State of Ohio, and in the evening, a memorial banquet was 
held at the Hotel Commodore. Commissioners Adler, Emerson and Schif- 
ferdecker were present at these ceremonies. The centennial celebration of 
the battle, September 1 0th and I I th, at Put-in-Bay, was marked by an 
imposing parade, the transfer of the remains of the officers killed in the 
battle and buried on South Bass Island, from their long time resting place 
to a crypt in the new monument, and a large and well appointed banquet 
at the Hotel Breakers, Cedar Point, Ohio, at which Commissioners Adler 
and Herrick were present. Public exercises were also held at this time, at 
Put-in-Bay, which included an address by former President William H. 
Taft, and in which the Dominion of Canada was represented by Dr. 
James A. McDonald of Toronto, Ontario. 

TTie Hawk continued in service until the arrival of the Niagara and 
accompanying fleet at Chicago, August 16th, from which point she 



16 State of New York 

returned to Buffalo and was called upon to participate in the reception of 
the flagship Niagara upon her arrival in Buffalo, Tuesday, September 2nd. 
Altogether the Harek was in service twenty-three days at a chartered rate 
of $200 per day, which included all expenses of every kind, coal, seamen's 
wages, provisions, etc. 

In the meantime meetings of the State Commission were being held at 
intervals and meetings of the Executive Committee more frequently. At 
the first meeting of the Executive Committee a resolution was adopted 
designating September 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th and 6th as the days for the 
official celebration at Buffalo. A number of parties in different parts 
of the country, controlling events deemed suitable for the Buffalo celebra- 
tion, were communicated with and arrangements made for various items of 
exhibition. TTirough the courtesy of the Secretary of Weir, the Twenty- 
ninth Regiment, Unit3d States Infantry, was ordered to take part in the 
military parade, September 4th. The National Encampment of the 
United Spanish War Veterans was scheduled for Buffalo for the same 
week and they announced their intention of furnishing a large contingent 
for the same parade. Arrangements were also made to mobilize various- 
branches of the National Guard and Naval Militia from Syracuse and 
westward. TTie details for the reception of the Niagara and its inspection 
while here were consummated and also the arrangements for the official 
banquet, firemen's parade and other prominent features of the celebration. 
As finally evolved the full programme took the following shape: 




HON. WILLIAM L. ORMROD 

Vice-Chaiiman, Perry's Victory Centennial Commission, 

State of New "i'ork. State Senator. 

I911-I2-13-M 




WILLIAM SIMON 

Perry's Victory Centennial 
State of New \'ork 



c 



ommission. 




HON. ROBERT F. WAGNER 

State Senator and Lieutenant-Governoi, Member of Perry "s 
Victory Centennial Commission, State of New ^'ork 




HON. EDWARD D. JACKSON 

Perry's Victory Centennial Commission, State of New York, 
Member of Assembly, Etc. 



The Pefiry's Victory Centenary 17 



PROGRAMME OF THE CELEBRATION 

Monday, September 1, 1913 
8.30 p. M. 

Grand illumination. Court of Honor. 

Tuesday, September 2, 1913 

9.00 A. M. 

Exercises at Liberty Pole; raising of flag presented by Mrs. Caroline Perry 
Moore, a second cousin of Commodore Perry; address by Mayor Louis P. Fuhr- 
mann. Music, Park Band. 

1 1 .00 A. M. 

Arrival of the Perry flagship Niagara and escort, greeted by whistles from all 
boats in the harbor and bells on the shore; national salute by U. S. S. Han>k: grand 
reception to officers of the fleet. Perry's Victory Centennial Commissioners, visiting 
officials, etc., by State Commission, Citizens' Reception Committee, Hon. E. H. 
Butler, Chairman, Women's Committee and Buffalo Yacht Club. Visiting fleet 
anchors off Buffalo Yacht Club. Music, Sixty-fifth Regiment Band. 

12.00 M. 

Glenn Martin's spectacular hydroaeroplane sensation; soaring to an altitude of 
1,500 feet when a woman passenger leaps from the machine and alights on the 
waters of Lake Erie by the aid of a parachute. Foot of Porter Avenue. 

2.00 P. M. 

Buffalo Yacht Club races. First race, Class "A" yachts, over 25-foot rating. 

2.15 P. M. 

Second race. Class " Q " yachts, not over 25 feet, not less than 21 feet. 

Course — The course for the Perry Centennial races on Sept. 2d and 3d was 
as follows: Starting across a line between north end of Government breakwater 
and judges* boat, thence to and around buoy placed three nautical miles to wind- 
ward (or leeward) leaving it to port. Thence to and around buoy at starting line 



18 State of New York 



leaving it to port, thence to and around windward (or leeward) mark leaving it to 
port, finishing across a line between north end of Government breakwater and 
judges' boat. 

Judges — H. A. Warren, Meredith Potter, H. V. Bisgood, Jr. 

Clerk of Course — W. Morse Wilson. 

5ecre/ari) of Regatta Committee — E. C. Hall (Clawson-Wilson Company). 
Federal 1739; residence 'phone. Federal 25964. 

2.00 P. M. 
Hydroaeroplane and aeroplane exhibitions at The Front. 

2.00 P. M. 

Rowing boat races in outer harbor off foot South Michigan Street. The fol- 
lowing events were open to local oarsmen and outsiders as indicated : 

Senior four — First prize, four-oar shell and four gold medals ; second prize, 
four gold medals. 

Intermediate four — First prize, four sweep oars, four gold medals. 

Junior four — First prize, four sweep oars and four gold medals ; second prize, 
four gold medals. 

\ 40-pound four — First prize, four sweep oars and four gold medals; second 
prize, four gold medals. 

Novice four — First prize, a banner and four gold medals ; second prize, four 
gold medals. 

Eight-oar crervs — First prize, four gold medals ; second prize, a baimer. 

Senior single — First prize, single shell and a medal; second prize, a pair of 
sweeps. 

Intermediate single — First prize, a pair of oars and medal; second prize, medal. 

Junior single — First prize, banner and medal ; second prize, medal. 

Novice single — First prize, banner and medal ; second prize, medal. 

Events open to outside and local oarsmen: Senior four crews, senior eight crews, 
1 40-pound crews, senior single. 

3.00 P. M. 
Balloon ascension and parachute exhibition. Ferry Street Driving Park. 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 19 

4.00 p. M. 

Band Concert, Shelton Square. Park Band. 

8.00 p. M. 
Band Concert, Lafayette Square. Park Band. 

8.00 P. M. 

The Twentieth Century Club opens its private rooms and entire club house 
for a reception for the Wonnen's Committee and their distinguished guests; ladies 
and gentlemen. 

8.30 P. M. 

Spectacular Firemen's Run on Main Street, Tapper Street to Exchjuige Street. 

Wednesday, September 3, 1913 

10.00 A. M. 
Flying boat and aeroplane exhibitions at The Front. 

10.00 A. M. 

Meeting at Women's Industrial and Educational Union, under auspices 
Women's Committee, Mrs. Esther C. Davenport, chairman. Program: Address 
on " Perry's Battle and Victory on Lake Erie," the Hon. Peter A. Porter; ode 
to Oliver Hazard Perry, Mrs. Alfred G. Hauenstein; talk on "Along the 
Historic Niagara," Mrs. Robert Fulton; " Reminiscences of a Real Daughter of 
the War of 1812," Mrs. James H. Ross; " Greetings from the Women of This 
Century," Mrs. Charles M. Dow. Informal buffet luncheon served by the Women's 
Union. Military music. 

11.00 A. M. 

Glenn Martin's spectacular hydroaeroplane sensation; soaring to an altitude of 
1,500 feet when a woman passenger leaps from the machine and alights on the 
waters of Lake Erie by the aid of a parachute. Foot of Porter Avenue. 

1 1 .00 A. M. 
Motor boat races, Niagara River course. Start and finish at Launch Club, 
Grand Island. 



20 State of New York 



1 1 .00 A. M. 

Cabin Cruiser " Bang and Go-Back " Race. Distance, about six miles. First 
prize, $150; second prize, $100; third prize, $50. 

2.00 P. M. 

Balloon ascension and parachute exhibition. Ferry Street Driving Park. 

2.00 P. M. 

Buffalo Yacht Club races. First race, Class " B " yachts, less than 25-foot 
rating. 

2.15 P. M. 

Second race. Class " C," veteran cruisers, built prior to 1 908 and not entered 
in any other class. 

3.00 P. M. 

Ten-mile (28 ft., 25 h.p.) Runabout Race. First prize, $150; second prize, 
$100; third prize, $50. 

4.00 p. M. 

Ten-mile Displacement Race. Open to boats ownned by members of the Buffalo 
Launch Club. First prize, $200; second prize, $100; third prize, $50. 

Swimming meet, under auspices of Buffalo Launch Club. The meet was held 
under the sanction of the A. A. U. and open only to amateurs registered in the 
A. A. U. Competition directly in front of clubhouse. Grand Island, Niagara River 
course, Buffalo Launch Club harbor, events run alternately with motor boat races, 
as follows : 

1. 50-YarJ Sivim, Open — First prize, sterling silver cup, value $50; second 
prize, 1 4k. solid gold open-face watch, value $30; third prize, 25-year Crescent 
filled hunting case gold watch, value $20. 

2. \ 00-Yard Swim, Open — First prize, sterling silver cup, value $50; second 
prize, 14k. solid gold open-face watch, value $30; third prize, 25-year Crescent 
filled hunting case gold watch, value $20. 

3. 200-Yard Swim, Open — First prize, sterling silver cup, value $50; second 
prize, 14k. solid gold open-face watch, value $30; third prize, 25-year Crescent 
filled hunting case gold watch, value $20. 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 21 



4. 400-Yard Smm, Open — First prize, sterling silver cup, value $50; second 
prize, 14k. solid gold open- face watch, value $30; third prize, 25-year Crescent 
filled hunting case gold watch, value $20. 

5. Fancy Dive — First prize, 1 4k. solid gold open-face watch, value $30; 
second prize, 25-year Crescent filled hunting case gold watch, value $20. 

6. 50-YaTd Sivim, Handicap, Open — First prize, sterling silver cup, value 
$50; second prize, 1 4k. solid gold open-face watch, value $30; third prize, 
25-year Crescent filled hunting case gold watch, value $20. 

7. i 00-Yard Sivim, Handicap, Open ■ — First prize, sterling silver cup, value 
$50; second prize, 14k. solid gold open-face watch, value $30; third prize, 
25-year Crescent filled hunting case gold watch, value $20. 

8. 200-Yard Stvim, Handicap, Open — First prize, sterling silver cup, value 
$50; second prize, 1 4k. solid gold open-face watch, value $30; third prize, 
25-year Crescent filled hunting case gold watch, value $20. 

4.00 p. M. to 7.00 P. M. 

Reception to distinguished guests on board the Niagara and at the Yacht 
Club by the Women's Committee. 

4.00 P. M. 
Band Concert, Main and Genesee Streets. Park Band. 

7.30 P. M. 
Band Concert, Riverside Park. 65th Regiment Band. 

8.00 P. M. 

Band Concert, Lafayette Square. Park Band. 

8.30 p. M. 

Grand display of fireworks at Riverside Park, showing among other brilliant 
features. Perry crossing from the Laivrence to the Niagara during the Battle of 
Lake Erie, and, complimentary to Admiral George Dewey and United Spanish 
War Veterans, the naval battle of Manila Bay. 



22 State of New York 

Thursday, September 4. 1913 

1 0.00 A. M. 
Grand Military Parade by Fourth Brigade New York National Guard, Naval 
Militia, troops of cavalry £uid battery of the National Guard, Twenty-ninth Regi- 
ment, United States Infantry, United States sailors and marines and including also 
five thousand uniformed members of the United Spanish War Veterans, who hold a 
national encampment at Buffalo the same week, and other unofficial military organi- 
zations. The line of march as follows: from Niagara Square, through Niagara Street 
to Franklin, to the Terrace, to Main, to Broadway, to Jefferson, countermarching in 
Broadway to Main, to North, to Delaware, and to the McKinley Monument. 

I 1 ,00 A. M. 

Motor boat races, Niagara River, starting from Motor Island. Cabin cruisers, 
" Bang and Go-Back." Open. Five Miles. First prize. Silver Trophy and 
$200; second prize. $200; third prize, $100. 

1 2.00 to 4.00 P. M. 

Garden party and buffet luncheon at the Castle, Fort Porter, by the Women's 
Committee, in connection with maneuvers for Army and Navy. 

2.00 P. M. 
Balloon ascension and parachute exhibition. Ferry Street Driving Park. 

2.00 P. M. 

Glenn Martin's spectacular hydroaeroplane sensation; soaring to an altitude of 
1,500 feet when a woman passenger leaps from the machine and alights on the 
waters of Lake Erie by the aid of a parachute. Foot of Porter Avenue. 

3.00 p. M. 
Aeroplane and hydroaeroplane exhibitions at The Front. 

4.00 P. M. 
Motor boat race, Niagara River, starting from Motor Island. Perry Centennial 
Race. Distance, 25 miles. Open to any boat faster than 25 miles per hour. First 
prize, $600 cash or cash value; second, $300 cash or cash value; third, $150 cash 
or cash value. 



The Pefu^y's Victory Centenary 23 



4.00 p. M. 

Motor boat race, Niagara River, starting from Motor Island. Chamber of 
Commerce Trophy Race. Distance, 25 miles. Open to any boat faster than 25 
miles per hour. First prize. Chamber of Commerce Trophy and a Special Silver 
Trophy. 

The Perry Centennial 25-Mile Race and the Chamber of Commerce Trophy 
Race start at the same time. 

4.00 p. M. 
Band Concert, Shelton Square. Park Band. 

4.00 to 7.00 p. M. 
Mrs. Harry Hamlin's reception to distinguished guests at her residence, 1014 
Delaware Avenue. 65th Regiment Band. 

7.00 P. M. 

Official banquet tendered by the New York State Perry Commission to visiting 
officials. Perry Victory Centennial Commissioners and other invited guests at the 
Iroquois Hotel. 

8.00 p. M. 

Band Concert, Lafayette Square. Park Band. 

Friday, September 5. 1913 

10.00 A. M. 

Motor boat race, Niagara River, starting from Motor Island, Perry Centennial 
Speed Trials. Open. First prize, Silver Trophy and $200; second, $200; third, 
$100. 

10.00 A. M. 

Aeroplane and hydroaeroplane exhibitions at The Front. 

1 1 .00 A. M. 

Motor boat race, Niagara River, starting from Motor Island. Ten-mile Club 
Race. 400-inch class displacement boats. Open to members of Motor Boat 
Club only. First prize, Moffit Cup and $300; second, $200; third, $100. 



24 State of New York 



1 1 .00 A. M. 

Balloon ascension and parachute exhibition. Ferry Street Driving Park. 

1 1 .00 A. M. 

Glenn Martin's spectacular hydroaeroplane sensation; soaring to an altitude of 
1 ,500 feet when a woman passenger leaps from the machine and alights on the 
waters of Lake Erie by the aid of a parachute. Foot of Porter Avenue. 

1.30 p. M. 

Parade of veteran and other volunteer firemen of New York Slate. A splendid 
exhibition of the fire apparatus of various eras. Route of march, from the 
McKinley Monument, through Niagara Street to Franklin, to Terrace, to Main, 
to Goodell, to Oak, to Broadway, to Spring, and countermarch on Broadway to 
the Auditorium. 

3.00 P. M. 

Patriotic meeting at Twentieth Century Club, Niagara Frontier, Buffalo Chapter, 
National Society of United States Daughters of 1812. Mrs. John Miller Horton, 
Regent. 

4.00 to 7.00 P. M. 

Farewell reception at Hotel Iroquois for departing guests by Women's Committee. 

4.00 P. M. 

Motor boat race. Niagara River, starting from Motor Island. Perry Centennial 
Race. Distance, 30 miles. Open to any boat enrolled in any club on the Great 
Lakes or their tributaries. First prize, $600 cash or cash value; second prize, $300 
cash or cash value; third prize, $150 cash or cash value. 

4.00 P. M. 

Motor boat race, Niagara River, starling from Motor Island. E. R. Thomas 
Trophy Race. Distance, 30 miles. Open to any boat enrolled in any club on 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 25 



the Great Lakes or their tributaries. First prize, E. R. Thomas Trophy and a 
Special Silver Trophy. 

The Perry Centennial 30-Mile Race and the E. R. Thomas Trophy Race start 
at the same time. 

4.00 P. M. 

Band Concert, Main and Genesee Streets. Park Band. 

8.00 P. M. 
Band Concert, Lafayette Square. Park Band. 

8.00 P. M. 

Grand illuminated automobile parade. Assemble at 7.30 P. M. One thousand 
dollars distributed in prizes, cash or plate, divided as follows: First prize, $200; 
second prize, $150; third prize. $125; fourth prize, $100; fifth prize, $75; sixth 
prize, $65; seventh prize, $55; eighth prize, $50; ninth prize, $45; tenth prize, 
$35; eleventh prize, $30; twelfth prize, $25; thirteenth prize, $20; fourteenth 
prize, $15; fifteenth prize, $10. 

Line of march: North Street from Richmond Avenue, to Delaware Avenue, 
to Terrace, to Main Street, to High Street, to Jefferson Street, to Broadway, to 
Court Street, to Niagara Square, and disband. 

Judges' stand at Lafayette Square. 

Parade forms on Richmond Avenue, facing North Street; decorated cars com- 
peting for prizes line up on west side of street; all other cars on east side of street. 

8.30 p. M. 

Parade, Military Order of the Serpent, United Spanish War Veterans. 

9.00 P. M. 

Entertainment of visiting colored citizens by Citizens' Committee and Men's Club 
of St. Philip's Episcopal Church at Elmwood Music Hall. Vocal music, addresses, 
dancing, etc. 65th Regiment Band. 



26 State of New York 



Saturday, September 6, 1913 

10.00 A. M. 

Motor boat race, Niagara River, starting from Motor Island. Open Displace- 
ment Class. Open to any displacement boat of any power. Distance, 20 miles. 
First prize. Silver Trophy ; second prize. Silver Trophy ; third prize. Silver Trophy. 

11.00 A. M. 

Balloon ascension and parachute exhibition at The Front. 

11.00 A. M. 

Glenn Martin's spectacular hydroaeroplane sensation; soaring to an altitude of 
1 ,500 feet when a woman passenger leaps from the machine and alights on the 
waters of Lake Erie by the aid of a parachute. Foot of Porter Avenue. 

I 1 .00 A. M. 

Motor boat race, Niagara River, starting from Motor Island. Small Hydro- 
plane Class. Distance, 20 miles. First prize. Silver Trophy and $300; second 
prize, $200; third prize, $100. 

2.00 p. M. 

Aeroplane races, hydroaeroplane and flying boat exhibits at The Front 

4.00 p. M. 
Motor boat race, Niagara River, starting from Motor Island. Perry Centennial 
Race. Distance, 35 miles. Free-for-all. First prize, $850 cash or cash value; 
second prize, $450 cash or cash value; third prize, $200 cash or cash value. 

4.00 p. M. 
Motor boat race, Niagara River, starting from Motor Island. Blackton Trophy 
Race. Distance, 35 miles. Free-for-all. First prize, Blackton Trophy and a 
Special Trophy. 

The Perry Centennial 35-Mile Free-for-All Race and the Blackton Trophy 
Race start at the same time. 

4.00 P. M. 
Band Concert, Shelton Square. Park Band. 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 27 



5.00 p. M. 

Departure of Perry's flagship, the Niagara, with farewell salutes and greetings. 
65th Regiment Band. 

8.00 P. M. 

Band Concert, Lafayette Square. Park Band. 

8.30 p. M. 
Closing illumination. Court of Honor. 

8.30 P. M. 
Jubilee parade and good-bye farewells by everybody. 

The various features of the programme were carried out with thorough- 
ness and a systematic regard for detail. The weather was delightful 
throughout the entire week, and in addition to the residents of Buffalo, 
who thronged the streets in great numbers, thousands of visitors came from 
the surrounding territory and even from a distance. 



28 State of New York 



ARRIVAL OF PERRY'S FLAGSHIP 

The greeting to the Perry flagship Niagara which arrived in Buf- 
falo at eleven o'clock on the morning of September 2nd, was a spec- 
tacle unequalled in the history of the Great Lakes. The Commis- 
sion chartered the steamer United Shores as the official boat, and 
accompanied by a reception committee composed of three hundred 
citizens of Buffalo, headed by the Hon. Edward H. Butler, editor 
and proprietor of the Buffalo Everting News, and with a large fleet 
of water craft of all kinds and descriptions, handsomely decorated 
and loaded to their capacity with enthusiastic residents of Buffalo 
and visitors, met the Niagara and escorting gunboats at the opening in 
the south breakwater and from there proceeded to the dock of the 
Buffalo Yacht Club at the foot of Porter Avenue which had been 
designated for her anchorage during the visit. Immediately upon turning, 
after passing through the breakwater, whistles from all the boats in the 
harbor and factories on shore gave vent to their loudest screeches which 
was maintained for a long period of time. A salute of twenty-one gims 
was fired by the naval gunboat Hawk, and the beach and the docks for 
miles along the lake front were thronged with men, women and children. 
Upon reaching the anchorage at the dock of the Buffalo Yacht Club the 
Niagara was boarded by members of the New York State Commission, 
headed by the Hon. John F. Malone, Chairman of the Executive Com- 
mittee, who extended on behalf of the Commission, its official greetings 
to Ensign George M. Lowry, U. S. Navy, commanding officer of the 
Niagara. Upon going ashore the visiting officers and reception com- 
mittee were entertained in a most delightful manner by the Women's 
Committee at the Yacht Club. 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 29 



OPENING EXERCISES 

The opening exercises at nine o'clock on the morning of September 2nd, 
were brief and modest, but interesting. Mrs. CaroHne Perry Moore, a 
long time resident of Buffalo and a second cousin of the distinguished 
Commodore Perry, had signified her desire to present to the city of 
Buffalo a large American flag. Arrangements for carrying out her 
wishes were made and in the presence of a great assemblage, gathered 
around the Liberty Pole, General Edgar B. Jewett, Chairman of the 
Citizens' Committee, on behalf of Mrs. Moore, presented the flag to the 
city, through His Honor the Mayor, who in accepting the flag made the 
following remarks: 

Address of Hon. Louis P. Fuhrmann, Mayor 
Mr. Chairman, FeWon» Citizens, Ladies and Cenilemen: 

I assure you that I appreciate the courtesy of the committee in extending me 
this invitation to participate in these flag raising exercises this morning. 

I know that every citizen living under the stars and stripes possesses the full 
measure of patriotic sentiment in his heart. We may not always be displaying that 
sentiment in words, for the sufficient reason that we are busy with a thousand and 
one things that go to make up human life. Duties press upon each and all of us 
behind and before. Nevertheless the sentiment resides, out of the sight possibly, 
but deeply implanted in our hearts. 

The real value of floating the flag from this pole will be this — that the spectacle 
of it fluttering in the breeze will serve to challenge and arouse our sentiment of 
patriotism. As it gracefully unfolds aloft from this pole, men, women and children 
looking up will feel that they are living, actual units in the total of ninety millions 
that go to make up this republic. With uplifted faces, a new sight of Old Glory 
will inspire a swift and fresh impulse to a deeper love and appreciation of our 
liberties. 

Speaking as the Chief Executive of the city I want to sincerely thank the donor 
of this beautiful flag — Mrs. Caroline Perry Moore — and assure her that four 
hundred and fifty thousand patriotic Buffalonians join me in this expression of 



30 State of New York 



gratitude. Her beautiful life of more than four-score years has already demonstrated 
that she is worthy of her kinship with the great Commodore whose valorous deeds 
we are to celebrate this week. This gracious act is a praiseworthy climax in a 
noble woman's career. In behalf of the city of Buffalo I gladly accept this flag. 

MEETING UNDER AUSPICES OF WOMEN'S COM- 
MITTEE OF BUFFALO 

At ten o'clock on Wednesday morning, September 3rd, a public meet- 
ing was held at the Women's Educational and Industrial Union, under 
the auspices of the Women's Committee, Mrs. Esther C. Davenport, 
Chairman, presiding. 

The principal address was made by the Hon. Peter A. Porter, 
whose grandfather. General Peter B. Porter, was a distinguished officer 
of the American army during the War of 1812. Mr. Porter spoke as 
follows : 

Perry's Battle and Victory on Lake Erie 

In the language of the flowers: Queen Rose, of this rose-bud garden of girls; 
and all you other American Beauties: 

If there are any sights on earth which enthuse a loyal American they are the 
two which meet my eyes as I stand upon this platform — two of the fairest sights 
in all the world — American women and the American flag. 

And when I am honored with an invitation to address an audience made up of 
that sex, which for all time has been " the hope and the joy, and the despair and 
the salvation of man," and when further I am asked to draw for that audience — 
and this celebration would not be complete or a success without the participation 
of the women — a word-picture of one of the greatest of all American victories: 
for me, the entire situation could not possibly be made more inspiring. 

The Good Book tells us that, no sooner had the Almighty made man, " in His 
owTi image " and placed him — a perfect creature — in the Garden of Eden, 
that He declared: " It was not good for man to be alone." So, out of his body, 
" flesh of his flesh, and bone of his bone " — to be for him a companion and a help- 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 31 



mate — He created what the poet has declared to be " Earth's noblest thing, a 
woman perfected." 

And during all the six thousand years that have elapsed since then — through 
all the ages, and in every clime — woman, lovely woman, has been adored and 
petted, loved and worshipped, spoiled emd looked up to, as " the sweetest thing 
that ever grew beside a human door." 

I am a firm believer in the good influence of woman. 

It is the greatest and the most far-reaching power on earth; greater than that of 
men ; greater than that of governments ; greater than any financial institution that 
was ever devised; greater than any political machine that was ever conceived; 
greater than any trust that was ever formed to rob the people. 

For men may come, and men may go; machines may come, and machines will 
go ; and trusts may come, and trusts shall go ; but the good influence of the women — '■ 
like Tennyson's brook — " shall go on forever." 

For, it is still as true as it ever was, that " the hand that rocks the cradle, is 
the hand that rules the world." 

And, as it has been since the Creation; so shall it remain until the Resurrection. 

There has been no phase of existence which it has not continuously dominated. 

" They talk about a woman's sphere, as though it had a limit. 
There's not a place on earth or heaven. 
There's not a joy to mankind given. 
There's not a blessing or a woe. 
There's not a whispered " Yes " or " No " 
There's not a kindly action done. 
There's not a great election won. 
There's not a mighty nation saved. 
Nor war's unholy terrors braved. 
There's not a marriage on the earth, 
TTiere's not a life, nor death, nor birth. 
There's not a feather's weight of worth, 
Without a woman in it." 

It is the fondest wish, it is the proudest joy of every man, to have with him 
always, the up-lifting and the ennobling influence of the women; to the end that his 
mother, his sister, his sweetheart, his wife and his daughters 

"Shall show him how divine a thing a woman can be made." 



32 State of New York 



Did women have influence in the winning of the Battle of Put-in Bay? Aye: 
verily they did. It was the mothers of Revolutionary days who had taught 
patriotism to the men who formed Perry's crews; those brave men " behind the guns." 

" Their's not to reason why, 
Their's not to make reply, 
Their's but to do or die." 

Perry himself was the American commander at that battle, solely through the 
intent of a higher power. He had been especially sent and especially equipped to 
meet that crisis. He had been brought up on the seacoast; his only toys had been 
ships. He had had patriotism instilled in his mind when his mother taught him 
his earliest lessons. He had learned to be a Christian and a God-fearing lad, 
when he had knelt at her knees to say his evening prayers. 

And, at the supreme moment of his life, when he had won that epoch making 
battle — standing on that bloody deck, writing his official report to the Secretary 
of the Navy — recognizing the infinity of his maker, he began it, " It has pleased 
the Almighty to grant to the American arms on this lake, a great victory." 

And he attributed his miraculous preservation throughout all the special dangers 
to which he was exposed in that fight, to the prayers which his devoted wife (in 
their modest home in Newport, Rhode Island) , had for weeks, ceaselessly offered 
up for his preservation and for his success; prayers which he felt had been wafted 
by the angels up to the throne of grace, and were heard and granted by the 
Almighty. 

I may speak of the battle only, and of that in skeleton. In spirit and decision 
it was a one-man battle and that man was Perry. 

In its victorious ending it was a one-ship fight, and that ship was the Niagara. 

Between June and September, 1812, the British had captured all but four of 
the American-owned vessels on the Upper Lakes. In order for us to have a chance 
to win the war, it was essential that we build a fleet on those lakes. Perry was 
sent to do it, and was given a separate command over these waters. 

The authors of " Pinafore " might summarize the entire event in a verse like this: 

He built a fleet; and what is more 

He swept the lakes from shore to shore 

And he polished off the British, both aft and fore; 

Flying from the top-mast his Commodore's Burgee, 

He polished off the British so beautifullee. 

That their fleet surrendered in its entire-lee. 

His months of preparation gained for us that Victoree 

And he became the Hero of our Lake Navee. 




HON. WILLIAM F. RAFFERTY 
Perry's Victory Centennial Commission, State of New ^'ork 




CLINTON B. HERRICK, M. D. 
Perry's Victory Centennial Commission, State of New York 




HON. JACOB SCHIFFERDECKER 

Perry's Victory Centennial Commission, State of New ^'ork. 
Member of Assembly, 1911-12-13 




HON. EDWARD SCHOENECK 

Lieutenant-Governor, State of New ^'ork, 1915-16. Member 
of Perry's Victory Centennial Commission 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 33 



For three weeks • — his fleet as well manned and as well equipped as he had 
been able to prepare it, under the most disadvantageous circumstances — - he sought the 
encounter. The British ships lay in port at Maiden. For the last ten days of 
that time Perry had waited at Put-in-Bay; determined to fight, and wailing for 
the British to emerge, which he knew they must soon do, owing to their lack of 
provisions. 

On the evening of September 9th, knowing intuitively that the fateful day 
must be close at hand, he summoned the captains of his fleet, and gave each one 
written and explicit orders for his part in the battle. 

The British guns had the longer range ; Perry's guns threw the heavier broadside. 
Barclay wanted to battle him from afar; Perry's chance of victory lay in close 
fighting. 

" Lay yourself alongside of them," was the keynote of his orders to his officers. 
As the meeting was about to close. Perry displayed a new flag. It was on plain 
blue cloth, on which were stitched, in letters of white cotton, Lawrence's last mes- 
sage, " Don't give up the ship." " When that flag goes to the mast head, it is 
the signal for battle; good night," were his parting words. 

That flag had been made and presented to him by patriotic women of Erie, 
where part of his fleet had been built. Its influence towards winning the victory 
was enormous. To our crews, it typified the feelings of their loved ones at home; 
yes, the feelings of the womanhood of America. 

As the sun rose over the horizon the next morning, the voice of the lookout on 
the Lawrence rang out clear, "Sail, ho!" It electrified the crew. The British 
were in sight at last. Quickly the signals to the other vessels were sent aloft. The 
boatswain's whistle sounded from every ship. "All hands up anchor " and " Pre- 
pare for battle " were the sharp orders. Every man in the fleet appreciated that 
before sundown, the supremacy of the lakes — yes, perhaps the ownership of half 
the North American continent — would be decided. 

Slowly the two fleets approached each other. At noon, when two miles apart, 
the British opened fire. Perry, on the Latvrence, was near the van. For two hours 
the fire of the British was mainly centered on that boat; because it bore the 
Commodore's pennant. At the end of that time, seven-eighths of her crew were 
dead or wounded — only fourteen were unharmed — • most of her guns were dis- 
mounted; there were none to man the others. It looked like sure defeat for the 
Americans. The Niagara — the LaTi>rer\ce's sister ship — had lagged behind, and 
was unharmed. To Perry's mind came the divinely sent message: " If I can 
reach the Niagara, the battle may yet be won." 
3 



34 State of New York 



In his heart rang the feeling (which was put into words the following year), 
" That the Star-Spangied Banner in Glory SHALL wave ; o'er this land of the Free, 
and this Home of the Brave." 

He ordered his commodore's flag (but not the Stars and Stripes) hauled down 
and brought to him. He sent to his cabin for his commodore's uniform. He took 
off the undress jacket he had worn all the morning, and dressed himself in the 
insignia of his rank. Whether to death or victory, he would go in his robes of 
office. He called for four men (out of the fourteen unharmed) to man his gig. 
When it had been lowered he stepped into it. " To the Niagara," was all he said. 

That boat lay half a mile astern. With his flag thrown over his shoulder. Perry 
stood erect in the little boat; nor would he make himself a less conspicuous target, 
until finally the rowers declared they would no longer work the oars unless he sat 

down. 

The British quickly apprehended that if Perry reached the Niagara he would 
be able to continue the battle. Every gun on the starboard side of the British 
fleet was quickly, under orders from their flagship, trained on that little gig. For 
fifteen minutes Perry was the sole target of an entire British fleet. Few men, 
indeed, have ever been so signally honored. That little boat was actually struck, 
oars were splintered (no wonder it took them fifteen minutes to row that half mile) ; 
the water about it was literally churned into foam by cannon balls; but Perry, 
and these four rowers, reached the Niagara unharmed. 

Of these four men who risked their lives to transfer him, we can say, in the 
words of Tennyson's " Six Hundred," changing the spelling, but not the sound of 
just one word, 

" Stormed at by shot and shell. 
Bravely they rowed, and well. 

Those noble sailors. 
Into the jaws of death. 
Up to the mouth of Hell, 

Rowed those brave sailors. 
Ne'er shall the glory fade 
Of that wild row they made. 

We honor those sailors." 

But death did not sit in the prow of that gig on that trip. Above it, and about 
it, unknown and unseen, angelic forms hovered, to protect its occupants from harm. 
Such a miraculous trip, when both rowers and rowed, though the sole target of 



The Pee^^y's Victory Centenary 35 



thirty-two cannon for a quarter of an hour, reached their destination unharmed, 
raises the minds of men a step higher (yes, to the highest conceivable point), toward 
the appreciation and the comprehension of the omnipotence and of the eternity of 
God. 

Once on the Niagara's deck, with a fresh crew thereon. Perry ordered his 
pennant sent to the mast-head ; it was the signal for battle. 

A breeze — sent by Providence from just the desired quarter — sprang up, and 
Perry headed toward the center of the British line; where he had all day wanted 
to be, and where his heavy guns could be worked at close range. 

He struck it, and passed through it. On the one hand lay the Lad^ Prevost, 
and she received a full broadside from the Niagara's guns. Then, Kke the avenging 
angel that she was, she swept on to where on her other side lay the two largest 
British vessels, the Detroit and the Queen Charlotte (which providentially for us 
had just fouled each other). Into that double target, and at half pistol shot range, 
was fired the Niagara's other broadside. 

In just eight minutes from the moment when the Niagara raked the Lad^ Prevost, 
a British officer, bearing in his hand a boarding pike, to which was attached a white 
handkerchief, stood at the rail of the Queen Charlotte. For the first time in the 
history of the world, a squadron of that Britannia which had boasted for centuries 
that " She ruled the waves," had surrendered in its entirety. From the Niagara 
Perry wrote to Harrison that modest but portentous message: " We have met the 
enemy and they are ours." 

In sentimental loyalty to his dead and wounded comrades on the Laxorence (his 
first flagship, and which had borne the entire burden of the earlier part of the battle) , 
Perry was rowed back to that battered hulk. Thither had to come all the com- 
manding officers of the British fleet to lay their swords in his hands. Perry's men 
were the only ones who had ever witnessed such a sight. 

Perry was a sick man when the battle opened. Excitement and God-given 
courage had sustained him during the fateful day. Now, having given orders for 
the care of the wounded and for the burial of the dead, he laid his fever-racked 
body down on that bloody, sanded deck, beside one of his dismounted guns, and 
still clasping in one hand his sword of victory, he folded his arms across his breast, 
and slept the sleep of a tired child. 

Of the " good ship Niagara " when she swept through the British line, both her 
port and starboard guns sending forth messages of defeat (nwssages that were writ 
in powder and iron shot) to the British, and at the same time hymning a paeon of 
victory for the Americans, she was simply fulfilling the then unknown destiny 



36 State of New York 



which had been decreed for her when her keel was laid. The American people 
might have well sang to her: 

" Dash on, dash on, oh. Ship of Fate; 
Dash on, Niagara, strong and great; 
Our hearts, our hopes, our prayers, our tears. 
Our faith triumphant o'er our fears. 
Are all with thee. Are all with thee." 

And she more than justified their every hope. Truly we did well to raise her 
from her long sleep in the mud under the waters of Misery Bay to receive the 
adulations that are being bestowed upon her. 

Go, visit her this afternoon; and gaze reverently on that rebuilt wooden hulk, 
and as you tread her deck, which Perry trod in victory a century ago, attune your 
thoughts to the fact, that, even as she was on the afternoon of September 10, 1813, 
in gratitude for what she accomplished that glorious afternoon, in the hearts of a 
patriotic people, in her resurrected and reconstructed form, she is again today " The 
Idol of the Nation." And to the memory of Oliver Hazard Perry, the nation sings. 

Here before thine altar kneeling. 

Gently o'er our senses stealing. 

Comes that mystic aid to healing. 

With both past and future dealing; 

Bygone victory revealing. 

And for endless peace appealing; 

For memory does enhance the feeling. 

That we love thee. 

That we dearly love thee still. 



The PEtmv's Victory Centenary 37 



ODE TO COMMODORE PERRY 

Mrs. Alfred G. HauENSTEIN, one of Buffalo's gifted poets, read 
the following ode to Commodore Perry, written by her for this occasion : 

OLIVER HAZARD PERRY 

I 

Hail, thrice hail to thee 

Spirit of Memory! 

Nor Wisdom, Time or Space 

But borrows from thy grace. 

As down the ages' mellowing aisles 

Thy splendor streams upon the afterwhiles: 

A Century is to thee 

The foreground of Posterity, 

Whereon with stately march 

Our Heroes pass again. 

Our laurelled men; 

Here historic conflict and triumphal arch, 

Flaunting flags, the Nation's good emd great, 

Upon thy service wait. 

And once again are made to be 

On Memory's mighty canvas. 

Great is thy mission 

Speaking Memory! 

II 

To-day where Erie's wide blue waters roll 

Thou stirrest our soul; 

And comes again the thrill of honest pride 

As at our fair Lake's side. 

With cannon v^reathed in Peace, 

Dumb, in the long years' release, 

We greet the remembering day 

TTiat bore the glory of an ancient victory. 



38 State of New York 



Come, Master-Painter, 

And with the cunning of thine artistry 

Paint once again in very breath and blood 

The valorous moments of that fateful day; 

Limn the young and gallant leader 

And his dauntless crew — 

The swelling sails against old Erie's blue; 

Our eyes are fain to see, our ears to hear 

The deed momentous, the far-echoing cheer 

Winged by the wind, exultant, toward the land. 

The ringing triumph of each brave command 

The young, undaunted commodore flung free 

With splendid pohe and fine audacity. 

Yield, winsome water of thy treasured deeps! 

Yet, trouble not the valiant band that sleeps 

Calm, on thine undulant breast; 

For them the battle and the sacrifice 

Toll of horror with its nameless price. 

Are hushed forever in the hymn of Rest; 

Yea, iheir's the glory that shall never cease, 

TTiey were the prophets of a priceless Peace! 



On such a day as this when breeze and ray 

Made shining holiday. 

Through all the coves and shoals of Put-in Bay, 

The blithe young warrior 

Whose fame we all adore 

First glimpsed the British fleet far out, away 

To north and west — a beckoning sight 

To him whose soul had chafed full long 

In dull Inaction's chains; with vigilant might 

He rallied all his loyal fleet, 

A radiant squadron, meet 

For contest, and with hunger for the fray ; 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 39 



The stately Caledonia — she who 'neath 

TTie quiet eaves of old Fort Erie crept 

The while our seamen slept. 

And who, in the silent night. 

Before e'en the silvering Dawn 

Its curtain had withdrawn 

Was grasped all skillfully. 

From the dull enemy — 

Sleep-laden \nlh the day's full task and care; 

Then the fair LaTvrence, queenly in line and height. 

Flaunting the inunortal burgee bright 

That flamed each heart, each lip. 

Coined by the gallant Captain of the Chesapeal{e, 

Sung of all martial men. 

Legend we breathe again. 

Swung from the mast high tip 

" Don't give up the Ship! 

Strong was the Lawrence in carronade to meet 

The out-numbering guns that marked the British fleet. 

The charge that challenged — grape and canister 

And all the searching musketry that menaced her; 

So thought he, daring with a deep desire. 

And little dreamed how fierce the British fire; 

Then the Niagara, swift of wing and strong 

Proudest of champions in the valiant throng; 

To-day within our waters, for us all 

Her storied self, in truth makes festival! 

What miracle her coming, that hath lain 

A buried treasure long, but not in vain. 

Unseen, yet unforgot, 

Her's is a royal lot — 

A Phoenix-Argosy of our wide Inland Main, 

Who rises, lightly touched by tempering Time 

With that same pride that made her once sublime! 

Then followed a scant half score of others 

Whose high names 

Are History's, and Song's and deathless Fame's. 



40 State of New York 



Upon the Laivrence calm and firm he stands, 

His eager voice pealed forth in sure commands. 

With swelling heart he faced the hostile sails, 

Nor fear, nor danger, that strong heart assails — 

This youthful Caesar of our Inlemd Seas, 

Intrepid in his honor and invincible; 

War with all its cruel tragedies 

Still finds hira resolute, insuperable; 

His is a Master-mind, whose word 

Is sure, and true, and flawless as his sword. 



Now, sounds a clarion bugle, whose clear call 

Proclaims the conflict, in the hearts of all. 

Mad crash of howitzer, the roar of carronade. 

The very fires of wrath belch from the shrieking guns, 

Tlie battle's on! and all her fearless sons 

England, the Mother, 'gainst her child, hath spurred! 

See the wide rents her angry shells hath made. 

Torn, shattered masts, and yet, all valor-stirred. 

On, on they light, and to the guns return; 

But what is this? — a rending at the bow, 

A welter at the stern? The Lawrence! is she now 

Already sinking in a foam-white shroud? 

She was so fine — all soldierly and proud ; 

Now her brave decks are thick with havoc dire. 

Rains 'neath her tottering masts the blazing fire 

How madly fierce! Must she go down? Careening now, 

She shudders as some bruised thing, and lo, 

TTie awful groaning of her passing mocks 

The blue September sky vnlh piteous shocks! 

But what of him, young warrior, who commands. 

Shall he yield to defeat 

With no decks 'neath his feet? 

Shall England and her Barclay claim the day? 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 41 



Nay, never! While remains in his staunch fleet 
One single schooner, sloop or brigantinel 
Avast there ! lower a boat. 
Across the red v^aves float. 
No moments must be lost 
Tho' hail of shot and shell may be the cost, 
And in the British fire the prow be hurled — 
His flag with the beaming stars and stripes 
On the Niagara shall there be unfurled! 

Across the waves by lusty seamen urged 
The dauntless leader cuts his hurried way. 
All helpfully the gleaming waters surged. 
While, at the prow, upheld in brave array. 
He flings his gleaming flag out towards the sky. 
And cheers his men to fervent loyalty. 

Swnft as a seabird in its upward flight 

He mounts the hempen ladder; in the breeze 

The fluttering pennant bright 

Proclaimed his right 

Still to be foremost in the splendid fight. 

Radiant, indomitable, he veered the ship. 
Heartening his comrades with his rallying cheer. 
No word has passed his lip 
Untoward in its message; nor fear 
Nor frown found lodgment in his face. 
But, buoyant, as a god, the signal gave 
That thrust his brig into the British reave. 

Now crash, and shriek, and hiss of swivel gun 

Gave lurid sign the battle's tide had turned. 

And where the broadside port had poured, there burned 

The flame of carnage, in the noonday sun; 

TTie British decks all strewn in gory heaps. 



42 State of New York 



Ill-fated Barclay, wounded desperately. 
Forgot Trafalgar and great Nelson's fame. 
Yet, gallant, ready, all unflinchingly 
Fought on for glory of great England's name. 

And of his glittering ship but shreds remained. 
Ensigns, mizzen-top, and gaff were gone. 
Stripped of the paltry glory it had gained 
She swung a ghost-ship of the early dawn. 
Brave Brigantine, who bore your England's flag 
To-day we love you for your staunch defense. 
And the* in Memory's song your dust we drag 
We love you in a deeper, dearer sense. 
Would, resplendent, you might proudly ride 
To-day, in honor, at the Niagara's side. 



Now the great day wears on to afternoon — 

That glorious day, but once that history gave. 

The cheering and the carronading die. 

O'er the spent seas the light winds gently croon 

And deepening silence breathes serenity: 

Where late the thrill of warfare held deep sway 

Now men are quiet in the fear of God; 

Stupendous were His footsteps where He trod 

Along the glinting crests that fateful day; 

And as of old on golden GalHlee 

He stilled the tempest to tranquility 

So to the conflict gave He swiftest end. 

Once more men looked on brothers, friend on friend. 

Once more the smoke clouds were dissolved in air. 

And War's wide chariots found no highway there. 
With head and heart in reverence deeply strong 
This younger David views his victory. 
Slain lies the giant of a Nation's wrong. 
And wide the trophies of captivity. 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 43 



Yet, silent, mindful of God's Providence, 

He claims nor honor, nor pre-eminence; 

Too nobly great was he. 

Cast in a mold of primal-majesty. 

And simple as that shepherd lad of old 

Who sought no laurels green, no guerdon gold. 

He swiftly on a slip of paper wrote 

The immortal words, to Harrison, we quote 

(O Country mine, count these thy deathless dowers) 

" We have met the enemy, and they are ours! " 



Now the great sun, which all that destined day 
Held golden court above its furious fray 
Sank, as some weary monarch on Night's breast; 
But ere he slept, across the twilit West 
He flung a flag of triumph 'gainst the gray; 
Then stately Night, Mother of silent Peace, 
Bade every tumult of the wild day cease. 
Summoned her splendid train that, star to star. 
Sped the glad message of Sweet Peace afar. 

While, in the deepening Dusk, upon the deck 
Of his dear ship, quiescent see him stand, — 
The conquering Hero of an unconquerable band! 
On the loved Lawrence, in its waste and wreck 
He made an humble throne, its perilous price 
Draped it with majesty of sacrifice; 
And here, in solemn file and spent array 
Passed the bruised glory of the enemy. 

The silvering stars reflect their sabers' gleam, 
As low they lay them at the victor's feet. 
Crushed with the sorrow of a full defeat; 



Are now his acts of chivalry complete — 
Do not the glories of achievement seem 



44 State of New York 



To reach his heart's apocalypse in dream — 
This zealous Conqueror? 

Nay, nay, tho' youth's fine ichor fills this warrior. 

He gave fair lodgment in his breast 

To that twin force — the crown of greatness 

In all history — 

Honor and simplicity! 

Thus, in fine reverence to the fallen foe 

The order gave, that English swords should know 

No change of master, and no change of place. 

No alien scabbard need their steel deface; 

As man to man, blood of one blood they stood. 

And broke war's shackles for the common good. 



That day, all marvelous, wrote for you, for me 

Forever and forever God's own history! 

Then the wide forests of th' unmeasured West, 

The billowing prairies toward the primal sun. 

The precious secrets of the mines' vast breast. 

Through that immortal struggle, then, were won; 

O, towering pines, ye snow-clad mountain peaks, 

O, Rockies, regnant over hill and plain. 

Ye sapphire seas that are our Inland Main 

Here on blue Erie Memory, listening speaks 

To McKinley, Rainier, Shasta's glittering crest. 

And all the grandeur of the great Northwest! 

Ye were the trophies of that thrilling day. 

Blood bought and fought for in a hero's way. 

Then hail to Thee, thrice hail to Thee, 

Great, human. Memory; 

Perry, and Victory — what have they won? 

God grant a finer strength, 

God grant World Peace at length. 

World Peace and Brotherhood, 

All that is true and good — 

For this we pray. MiNNIE FerrIS HaUENSTEIN. 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 45 



ALONG THE HISTORIC NIAGARA 

An address by Mrs. RoBERT FuLTON, an eminent artist, authoress 
and club woman of Buffalo, entitled "Along the Historic Niagara," was 
the next paper presented : 

To-day, Buffalo the Queen City of the Lakes, is celebrating the victory gained 
by Commodore Perry over the British fleet one hundred years ago. In 1915 
we are to herald a hundred years of peace betv^feen Great Britain and the United 
States, and while we honor the hero of Lake Erie, let us not forget the nameless 
heroes who gave their lives to make that victory possible, nor the gallant British 
Commander, Barclay, who was badly wounded in the fray; and let us rejoice 
that war between the two great English speaking nations of the world is a thing of 
the past and that from either end of the bridges which span the Niagara river, float 
the Union Jack and the Stars and Stripes in friendly feeling. 

It is not my purpose in this brief talk to speak at length of Perry's victory for 
we have already heard graphic and detailed accounts of it at the morning meetings 
at Fort Porter from Mr. George D. Emerson and the Hon. Peter A. Porter and 
will hear more about it later on this programme; although it must necessarily be 
the dominant note of every address during this memorable week. It is enough for 
me to call to your memory ■ — to emphasize the fact that Perry's victory had far- 
reaching results for it gave the United States mastery of the lakes, prevented an 
Indian war, and led to the surrender of Detroit. It was as notable and far-reaching 
an event as was the surrender of the British at Fort Niagara in 1 783. 

And when we think of that magnificent chain of lakes — fresh water seas — 
Superior, Huron, Michigan, St. Clair and Erie, is not our beautiful Niagara a 
wonderful stream, bearing on her bosom the waters of all those lakes as she hastens 
on to the great Falls of Niagara, thence with the rushing and roaring of many 
waters down the narrow cliff-bound gorge to the lower river on her way to Lake 
Ontario, then to the St. Lawrence until at last she is merged in the immensity of the 
ocean, the ultimate end of all streams, like the soul seeking eternity ! 

The shores along this historic river constitute the Niagara Frontier, a region 
particularly interesting to me as my birthplace and the home of my grandfather. 
General Parkhurst Whitney of Niagara Falls, a prominent pioneer of the Niagara 
Frontier, a man always in the vanguard of every public improvement and a brave 



46 State of New York 



soldier in the War of 1812, having been severely wounded at the Battle of Queens- 
ton Heights. 

This frontier extends from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. It is indeed a wondrous 
region. It is remarkable for its Indian legends, for its unsurpassed scenery, for its 
geological formations, its rare plants and for the wonderful hydraulic and electrical 
development of recent years. The historical associations along the Niagara river 
are numberless. From the date of the first white man's entrance upon the scene, 
about in the year 1600, and during the next fifty years, it was visited by a few 
daring missionaries, mostly Franciscan monks whose zeal to spread the gospel of 
Christ among the savages made them willing to endure every hardship. Then came 
the French, first officially in peace, represented by that splendid explorer, Cavelier 
De La Salle who, it will be remembered, built and launched the first vessel to navigate 
the upper lakes. It was called the Griffon and a boulder placed by the Niagara 
Frontier Landmarks Association marks the spot where it was launched at the village 
named for LaSalle, five miles above the Falls. Later, came hostile French armies 
and the steadily increasing influence of the French, the incessant but for many years 
futile attempt of the British to drive out the French, the successful campaign of the 
British in 1 759 which made them masters of the Frontier, the surrender in I 783, at 
the close of the American revolution, by Great Britain to the United States of all 
her territory lying east of the Niagara river, the stirring events of border warfare 
during the War of 1812, all along the frontier, the Canadian internal and Fenian 
rebellions, all make a list of noted events within sound of the swift flowing river. 

The typical red men of America are rapidly becoming extinct. The grand old 
forests, whose solemn stillness once echoed their tread, now resound with the strokes 
of the woodman's axe, or have given place to cities and villages whose spires and 
domes reared heavenward mark the advent of another race. The streams whose 
waters were cleft by their canoes, the brooks whose crystal drops slaked their thirst, 
are now navigated by steamboats or electric launches, or flow through cropped fields 
or cattle haunted pastures, and, in many cases, are devoted to commercial purposes. 
The children of the forests whose places we have usurped are passing; but many a 
tradition will long preserve the memory of their tribes. 

A legend of Niagara tells of the coming of the first missionary to this frontier. 
It is a legend of Goat Island, " that beautiful isle which divides Niagara's tumultuous 
tides at the brink of the mighty falls." Here, thanks to its being a Slate reservation, 
we still find the primeval forest, the sylvan solitudes, trees centuries old with dates 
carved on them by hands long since dust, and, speaking of this island, it may be of 
interest to note that the TTiree Sister Islands, in the rapids west of Goat Island, were 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 47 



named for General Whitney's three daughters, the eldest of whom, Asenath Whitney 
was my mother. 

The red men regarded this isle as sacred, as the abode of the Great Spirit. At 
the head of the island there is a channel in the upper rapids through which it may 
be reached, but it is a hcizardous undertaking. A few daring white men have accom- 
plished it, but the Indians seem to have easily reached the island in their canoes, and 
here, in the long ago, they brought the bodies of their chiefs for burial, and it is 
probable that many fierce warriors sleep the long sleep under the old trees within 
sound of the mighty Falls. 

Tradition tells us that the first white man to go on Goat Island was an American 
monk who penetrated the wilderness carrying the gospel tidings to the aborigines. It 
is so long ago that the good father's name is lost in the obscurity of the past but 
the memory of his faith and daring in the service of the Master remains like the faint 
fragrance of a withered rose. 

The Indians believed that no human being could pass the night on the island and 
live because of the spirits that haunted the solitudes and after an unusually fervent 
appeal from the monk, told him if he would do it, they would become Christians. 
The good father gladly consented for he was becoming discouraged, having labored 
long and vainly to convert them, and so he was taken in a canoe one moonlit night 
to the island and left alone in the primeval forest, the only sounds the call of a night 
bird, the rustling of the leaves and the solemn voice of the mighty cataract. He 
passed the night in prayer and at sunrise, when the eastern sky was all aglow with 
gold and crimson, he went to the brink of the Horse-Shoe Falls, and the Indians, 
assembled across the rushing waters on Table Rock, seeing him unharmed, deeming 
it a miracle fell on their knees and he blessed them across the gorge. And tradition 
goes on to say that in the roseate mist cloud there appeared a hand holding aloft a 
golden cross; but this is only legendary and may or may not be true, and the best 
historical authorities agree that Etienne Brusle, Champlain's interpreter, was prob- 
ably the first white man to see the Great Falls, and that Samuel De Champlain the 
first Governor General of New France, Champlain the most picturesque figure in 
all Canadian history, never saw the Falls. That he had heard of them, however, is 
shown by his mention of the great cataract of Niagara in one of his books published 
in Paris, France, in 1604; but the first exhaustive account of Niagara with quaint 
drawings is given by Father Hennepin in 1697. 

Many are the legends of Niagara I could tell, had I the time. This whole region 
is replete with Indian legends and tales of border warfare. No longer does the 
red man roam the forest of this frontier and in his place we find people of all races. 



48 State of New York 



Slav and Hun, Saxon and Celt, Scandinavian and Latin, all come to our fair land 
of America which has been called the great melting pot of the world. Let us 
hope that in the future this fusion of the races may produce a high type of manhood, 
and in order to accomplish this, they must be educated to respect American institu- 
tions. 

Buffalo is, indeed, a cosmopolitan city with a very large foreign population. The 
Buffalo of 1913 is quite different from the little village surrounded by forests to 
which came the news of Perry's victory one hundred years ago. Its quiet inhabitants 
little dreamed of the grave problems that confront our beloved country to-day, but 
her children have faith in her and believe that our glorious ship of state guided by 
an over-ruling Providence, will sail on in safety, and though like a river it may 
be through troubled waters over rocks and rapids, yet like the Niagara, it will enaerge 
at last into the still waters and on to greater achievements for the uplift of humanity. 

In closing let me quote from Henry Watterson's recent splendid address at 
Put-in-Bay: 

" Perry nailed to his mast-head the dying words of the unconquerable Lawrence, 
■ Don't give up the ship.' May we not amplify and extend thera to embrace the 
sweep and reach of our institutional system? On land and sea, in glory and in 
peril, whenever the republic rides the waves too proudly, or is threatened by foes 
within or without, let us take them as a message from heaven, and pass them on to 
our neighbors, and teach them to our children. 

" ' Don't give up the ship! Don't give up the ship! 




CHARLES H. WILTSIE 

Perry's Victory Centennial Commission, State of New "I'ork 



COLONEL JOHN T. MOTT 
Perry's Victory Centennial Commission, State of New "^'ork 




HENR\- HARMON NOBLE 
Perry's Victory Centennial Commission, Slate of New York 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 49 



REMINISCENCES OF A REAL DAUGHTER OF THE 

WAR OF 1812 

Mrs. Fulton was followed by Mrs. WiLLIAM H. Ross, a resident of 
Buffalo, whose father served in the War of 1812, thus making her a real 
daughter of that war. Mrs. Ross' reminiscences were as follows : 

Madam Chairman and Friends: 

A few statements from memory of my father. Elijah Boardman, who served six 
months in the War of 1812. 

Governor Tompkins had called for volunteers to assist in the defense of the 
Niagara Frontier. Father was eighteen years of age at the time of enlistment, and 
he with other comrades from Seneca County, N. Y., joined General Scott's march 
to the Niagara Frontier, arriving early in July. 

Father's first experience was in the now historic battle of " Lundy's Lane." and 
truly a baptism of fire, it was. Father often recounted to me the order of Captain 
Hooper, to tie their handkerchiefs around their heads and shoot from the ground. 
The Indian allies of the British made it necessary to resort to this mode of warfare. 

Father's vivid account of the siege and sortie of Fort Erie in September, 1814, 
is well remembered. The siege lasted many days until in the brilliant sortie planned 
by General Brown, they met the besiegers in a life and death struggle. The 
Americans retained possession of the fort. 

The nearest father came to being wounded was the mark of a bullet that grazed 
the handkerchief that he had around his head in the battle of Lundy's Lane. All 
through his life he favored colored handkerchiefs similar to the one worn at that time. 
Father always maintained the Americans were the victors at Lundy's Lane. The 
British having retired from the field, the Americans remained in possession. Father 
had great admiration for General Scott and watched his rise to the highest position 
in the army with much interest. He was also interested in the noted Indian, Red 
Jacket, who served for a time on the American side. 

Father always claimed the State of New York, by the call of Governor Tomp- 
kins, promised a bonus of five dollars per month to all six months volunteers. Why 
it was not given to those young soldiers is not to-day known. TTie United States 
government gave a grant of land to surviving soldiers a few years after the close of 



50 State of New York 



this last war with England. Father's portion was near the now thriving town of 
Pontiac, Michigan. 

These few statements give me the honor of being a real daughter of the War 
of 1812 Society, for without this war for emancipation from British misrule, 
especially on the high seas, there would be no celebration of one hundred years of 
peace. 

In closing I thank you for your very kind greeting, and could we have foreseen 
this glorious occasion forty years ago, there might have been many more personal 
memories. 



GREETINGS FROM THE WOMEN OF THIS CENTURY 

The last paper was from Mrs. Charles M. Dow, of Jamestown, 
N. Y., one of the best known club women of this State. She presented 
" Greetings From the Women of This Century," and spoke in full as 
follows : 

Madam Chairman and Friends: 

I deeply appreciate the honor that you have conferred upon me in asking me to 
appear upon the program of the Perry Victory Centenary. In the past, I have 
presided over meetings in this beautiful building when the audience represented 
brilliant women from all over the State, and I have been thrilled with the wonderful 
work that the women of our State have been accomplishing, but never before have 
I listened to a more brilliant program than this patriotic one in honor of a great 
victory which so vitally affected our nation and made possible the great commerce 
of the city of Buffalo. 

Last evening, as we drove around the city lighted with its myriads of electric 
lights, it looked like fairy land, and I thought of the dim light of the tallow candle 
of a hundred years ago and I marveled at the wonderful things that have opened 
up to women in that time. The progress of the last century is the most notable along 
every line in the history of the races of mankind and marked by greater material 
progress than in all previous records. The nineteenth century is, beyond comparison, 
the most notable period in the history of the races. The average American 
mechanic of to-day is in many respects better circumstanced than was any king of a 
century ago. He eats more wholesome food and has more conveniences and devices 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 51 



for his comfort and satisfaction in living. Napoleon at the height of his power could 
not command the household conveniences, — the steam heat, the running water, the 
bath, and sanitary plumbing, gas, electric light, the railroad, the steamboat, the tele- 
graph, the telephone, the phonograph, the daily newspaper, the magazine and a 
thousand other blessings that are now a part of the daily necessities of even a manual 
laborer. The mechanic of to-day as compared with a monarch of a hundred years 
ago, dwells upon the earth more like an angel and less like an ape, and has many 
more resources and safeguards against disease and death. He knows hundreds of 
facts of nature and science whereof no king of 1 800 had ever dreamed, and he 
knows, too, how these facts may be used to man's advantage. He has a broader 
mind, a more liberal education, a knowledge of the wonders of the universe far 
more e.xact and extensive. He is likely to live longer, he is quite certain to live better. 
But woman's world to-day is a new era — old things are passing. The changes 
enlarge our horizon, we see further and feel deeper as the age advances. Our real 
life to-day is a thinking one and the quality of our thought is the quality of our being. 
Our thought realm is real and makes for character and character abides. We have 
been told " The world's greatest assets are souls who think imperially." They not 
only enrich themselves but really increase the value of mankind. He who founds an 
institution, writes a live book, composes a vital drama, or creates an oratorio, but 
adds to the appreciable forces that increase life and multiply joys. To keep pace 
with the progressive spirit of the age demands vigorous thinking but to lag a little 
is easier and one escapes notoriety with its added burdens. The true attainments 
of science, the triumph of art. the achievements of inventions, the glories of music, 
poetry and literature, the virtues and graces of royal character; — and this to-day. 
to my mind, is woman's greatest heritage with every door vAde open. We have 
confidence that the woman of to-day, as the woman in the past, will do the work 
before them v^th steadfast, earnest endeavors. 

The very interesting proceedings of this meeting were enlivened by mar- 
tial music, furnished by a detachment of Boy Scouts, and, just before its 
close, the Chairman, Mrs. Davenport, presented to the audience in a very 
complimentary manner. Commissioner George D. Emerson, Secretary of 
the State Commission, designating him as one of the guiding spirits in the 
great celebration and the one to whom the Women's Committee was in- 
debted for many courtesies and kind offices. Mr. Emerson expressed his 



52 State of New York 



gratification at meeting the ladies and that it had fallen to him to assist 
Mrs. Davenport and her associates in the splendid manner in which they 
had performed their part of the celebration. 

OFFICIAL BANQUET 

Hie official banquet, given by the Commission to invited guests, was 
held at the Iroquois Hotel, Thursday evening, September 4th. Four 
hundred and twenty guests participated in a well appointed dinner. At 
the close of this part of the evening's entertainment, the assemblage was 
called to order by Senator John F. M alone. Chairman of the Executive 
Committee of the Perry's Victory Centennial Commission. In a few well 
chosen remarks Senator Malone introduced Mr. John N. Scatcherd, a 
prominent citizen of Buffalo, as toastmaster of the evening, who performed 
its duties in a most graceful and satisfactory manner. In accepting the 
chair, Mr. Scatcherd spoke briefly, saying: 

I feel highly complimented in being selected to assume the duty of presiding over 
a gathering such as this and upon such an occasion. I have been much impressed 
during the last few months by what seemed to be a universal desire on the part of the 
civilized peoples of the world to bring about universal peace, and as I sit here to-night 
and realize the emotions of an occasion like this I cannot help but be impressed by 
the fact that the very basis of it all was not universal peace, but contest and warfare. 

If it hadn't been for the controversy one hundred years ago we would not be here 
to-night celebrating this glorious victory. And what is to become of our children 
and our children's children if we are to have universal peace? Certainly they will 
never be able to enjoy a week such as we have been enabled to enjoy. Notwith- 
standing the fact that peace is a glorious thing; in fact, a religion, nevertheless, as 
far as ! am concerned, I believe in controversy with my fellows honestly and fairly. 
and where there is honest difference of opinion I believe in fighting it out on that line 
if it takes all summer. 

I believe in controversy for the right; I believe such controversy brings out the 
best that is in us, and while we all hope for peace, it must be peace with honor. 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 53 



The commission appointed by the State of New York for the celebration of Perry's 
great victory has furnished us a fine programme, which has reached a climax this 
evening. It is now my pleasure to call upon Mayor Louis P. Fuhrmann. 

Address of Mayor Fuhrmann 
The Mayor responded as follows: 

A/r. Toastmaster, and Honored Quests: 

I assure you that I greatly appreciate the honor which is mine this evening in 
being invited to participate in this banquet. 

Speaking as the chief executive of the city, I want to extend to the local com- 
mittee, to the representatives of the Empire State, and to all those concerned, my 
sincere thanks for the splendid services they have rendered in making this Perry 
celebration a magnificent success. 

This is indeed a glorious celebration in honor of the great Commodore whose 
deeds and memory vnll live forever in the hearts of his grateful countrymen. 

Great as this celebration is I am not overwhelmed by its magnitude, for the city 
of Buffalo is used to doing things in great ways. Only last week, the International 
Congress on School Hygiene — an assemblage that represented the entire civilized 
world — were the guests of the Queen City of the Lakes — a fitting introduction 
to this programme, which commemorates the glory of a world hero — Commodore 
Perry. More than half a century ago, the Great Free Soil Convention of 1848 
was held in Buffalo — the convention which flung to the breeze the banner of free 
soil, free speech, free men and which contributed more than any other single influence 
or event previous to 1 861 in popularizing sentiment in favor of human freedom in this 
republic. The beautiful Pan-American Exposition, breathing sentiments of 
fraternity and inclusiveness to all the North and Central and South American nations, 
occurred here in 1 90 1 . 

Permit me to say this evening, friends, that Buffalo is a world city. Of all (he 
cities in the United States none is more cosmopolitan in character than Buffalo. 
The descendants of Europe, Asia, Africa, as well as the Americas, enter largely 
into our population. 

We have not only this vfidt racial diversity amongst us, but our industrial and 
commercial activities touch more sides of human life than any other city in the new 
world. 



54 State of New York 



A great city is more than houses and lands and ships, to be sure, but so long 
as the world is as it is and men have to earn their living, (he industrial aspects of the 
community will remain of prime and commanding importance. 

Turning aside from commerce and industry to those things that deepen and 
enrich human life, permit me politely to call your attention to the multitude of 
evidence on every hand vk'hich prove beyond challenge that Buffalo is a beautiful 
and a universal city. Our thoroughfares and our residences, our streets and parks, 
our business houses, banks and newspapers, our school houses and religious edifices, 
as well as our charitable and fraternal organizations, are proof positive that Buffalo, 
the home of two distinguished American presidents — - Millard Fillmore and Grover 
Cleveland — is a progressive, patriotic American city. 

Toastmaster Scatcherd then said : 

The State of New York, realizing that there should be a proper celebration of 
Perry's victory, made an appropriation and appointed a commission to supervise 
expenditures. The chairman of that commission is with us this evening. Serving 
without remuneration, a great sacrifice of time and money, members of that com- 
mission have earned the gratitude of the people of Buffalo and the entire State. It 
is now my pleasure to call upon William J. Conners, chairman of that commission, 
to respond. 

Address of Chairman William J. Conners 

Chairman WiUiam J. Conners on rising was greeted with a demon- 
stration of applause which lasted for several minutes. When the cheers 
had subsided Mr. Conners said : 

Mr. Toaslrnaster, Invited Cuesls and Gentlemen of the City of Buffalo: 

You seem to be getting ahead pretty fast when you call upon Conners so soon. 

(Applause.) I feel somewhat like the fellow who picked up a newspaper and 

began to read it upside down. 

Of course, it is very amusing to me to note that I am the only speaker who 

has not the title honorable tacked to his name. That was a printer's fault, maybe. 
We came here to celebrate the great battle of Lake Erie. I don't think any 

of you gentlemen expect of me a lengthy speech, because this is probably the first 

or second time that I have had it fixed so that I would be called upon so early in 

the programme. 



The PEEy^Y's Victory Centenary 55 

The humor of Mr. Conners met a quick response. Almost every 
sentence he spoke was cheered and greeted with ripples of appreciative 
laughter. 

Some of the newspaper boys came to me and wanted me to give them my 
speech. I said if I did I was afraid they couldn't read it. (Laughter,) The last 
speech I dehvered from notes was at the Jewish Synagogue, and it took me a week 
to collect the notes. (Laughter.) I had two or three of my editors help me with 
that speech, and when I got down there I was met by two or three ladies who 
punctured and criticized what I had to say, so from that day to this I have never 
attempted to read a speech from notes, and I don't intend to do it now. 

Right here I want to say in connection with this Perry celebration, that we are 
all indebted to my friend. Commodore Worthington. He is really the father of the 
Perry celebration. Out of his own pocket he paid representatives to go to other 
cities to further the raising of the Niagara, which as you all know, has proved the 
great attraction in Buffalo this week. 

When they asked me what I knew about the battle of Lake Erie, I was frank 
to say that I knew little. I knew that the great victory was won a long time ago, 
but I wasn't here then. Sometimes I think it was a mistake that I wasn't. When 
informed in New York by Governor Sulzer that I had been appointed chairman of 
the State commission, my reply was that nothing would please me better. My 
friend, Mr. Emerson, called upon me one day and informed me that I had been 
appointed a member of the Perry commission. I have been appointed chairman, I 
told him. William Simon, Mr. Emerson and myself met then at my office and, 
of course, they forced me to accept the chairmanship. It was one of those things 
where they had to force me, gentlemen. Just as they are forcing the mayoralty on 
three or four men. (Cheers and laughter.) 

In looking into this affair I found that it was planned to have the big celebration 
at Put-in-Bay, but, gentlemen, after what has taken place, I think you will agree 
with me that I have succeeded in whip-sawing my friend Worthington by bringing 
the great celebration to Buffalo. 

I had my own ideas about the character of the celebration from the start. My 
first jump was to Washington, where I saw ray friend, Taft, and Secretary Knox. 



56 State of New York 



Turning to the toastmaster Mr. Conners said: 

No, my time is not up. I want to tell just what occurred. I am going to make 
a speech my own way. Of course you told me you didn't belong to the Ripper 
gang, and wanted to be chairman of this affair to square you and we did it. Now 
let me go on. 

Resuming his remarks, Mr. Conners said: 

I went down there to Washington with a view to getting a dirigible balloon to 
give the people of Buffalo something they had never seen before. I got a letter 
from President Taft and Secretary Knox to Ambassador Leishraan at Berlin. At 
Berlin they told me a dirigible balloon would not be let out of Germany unless by 
the Kaiser's permission. I told them I had no objections to meeting the Kaiser. 
(Cheers and laughter.) 

Finally I had the honor of meeting the Kaiser and different people connected 
with the project, but after figuring it out in dollars and cents I found it was not 
best to bring a dirigible balloon here. I came back feeling a little disappointed. We 
looked over the best things that could be given in the way of flying machines and 
other attractions. It was ray resolve to give the people of Buffalo a good show 
and I think that the results of the week have justified that resolve. 

This is the first show ever brought to Buffalo where the citizens were not called 
upon to pay, except for a few dollars for grandstands and minor details. The 
whole bill, gentlemen, has been paid by the State of New York. To-day our com- 
mission is working as one. It wasn't always that way, but it is so now. (Laughter.) 

You know I am very easy to coax but very difficult to shove. (More cheers and 
laughter.) 

We have other gentlemen here, among them August Belmont, a descendant of 
the great commodore and therefore I don't want to take up loo much of your time. 
Your toastmaster has talked a good deal about peace. I want to say that I love 
peace, on my own conditions, and unless it is on my conditions I don't like it. 
(Laughter and applause.) I come from a race that always loved peace just like 
that. (Laughter.) 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 57 



Toastmaster Scatcherd said : 

Gentlemen it is always the unexpected that happens. I am not a good sleeper 
and at five o'clock this morning I heard my doorbell ring and rushing down stairs 
in my slippers and nightgown, I found a red-headed messenger who handed me a 
note from Mr. Conners, saying he did not feel in good shape to make a speech, 
but would do so on one condition. That was if a porous plaster he wore remained 
in place he would talk me to death. (More cheers.) 

Address by Hon. Asa Bird Gardiner, LL.D., H.D., M.H., President 
Rhode Island State Society, Order of the Cincinnati, and 
President Military Society of the War of 1812. 

The toastmaster then introduced Colonel AsA BiRD GARDINER, of 
New York, well-known as an author and speaker. Colonel Gardiner's 
address was historical in its character and largely reminiscent of the War 
of 1812 and Commodore Perry. He spoke as follows: 

We are met this evening to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the defeat 
and capture on Lake Erie of the entire British Squadron of superior force by Com- 
modore Oliver Hazard Perry's command after a fierce and gallant action in which 
the heroism displayed by officers and men of the contending forces is something of 
which both kindred nations may well be proud. 

It was the first recorded instance in a thousand years where a British Squadron 
had thus been overcome. 

The result was one of national importance for it gave to the United States of 
America the control of Lakes Erie, St. Clair, Michigan, Huron and Superior. 

To make territorial control complete Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry forth- 
vnt\\ prepared the vessels of both squadrons, which were still fit for active service, 
for transportation of all of Major General William Henry Harrison's army in a 
descent upon Canada and received him and his staff on his own vessel, the Ariel. 
and, on September 27, 181 3, debarked the American army at Maiden, which the 
British regulars under Major General Proctor and Indians under the great Chief 
Tecuraseh, hastily evacuated and retreated up the right bank of the Detroit river 
followed by the American army on land and Perry's vessels by water. 



58 ■ State of New York 



c 



At the river Thames only the hghter draught vessels, the Scorpion, Tigress and 
Porcupine, with the baggage and boats of the army, could proceed up that stream 
to the end of navigation almost to the place where the battle of the Thames was 
fought on October 5. 1813, which resulted in a total defeat of the enemy and of 
Proctor's ignominious flight, accompanied by forty dragoons, leaving, besides killed 
and wounded on the field, 626 regular troops as prisoners of war and a great amount 
of military stores and train of brass cannon, including three Revolutionary trophies 
taken at Saratoga or Yorktown by the Americans, but recaptured by the British at 
the surrender of Detroit in 1812, by Brigadier General William Hull, of the 
United States Army. 

In this battle of the Thames, the great Indian War Chief Tecumseh was killed 
and his allied Indian tribes dispersed with great loss in killed and wounded. 

Commodore Perry served throughout all these operations so glorious to the 
American arms — where the navy could be utilized, as Major General Harrison's 
intimate co-adjutor and when the navy could do no more by water, acted as his 
hief aide in the battle and was constantly under fire, — a battle which was the 
corroUary to Perry's great naval victory on Lake Erie and brought peace to the 
northwest and left the present great states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota — 
with a total population, by last census, of 7,219,741, exclusively under American 
sovereignty. 

TTiese were the great events so glorious to the nation's arms, so important to its 
security and prosperity, in which Oliver Hazard Perry was a principal factor. 

The limits of these remarks admit but brief reference to the causes of the second 
war for American independence and a brief biographical sketch of the American 
hero — the Christian gentleman, the kind, good and gallant comrade in arms, whose 
potential victory we to-day celebrate. 

It has been the speaker's privilege to know probably two hundred of the veterans 
of the War of 1812, and listen to their stories of service by land or sea, and in 
many instances, narratives of what some suffered by forcible and unlawful impress- 
ment in the British navy. 

The treaty of peace of I 783 required the British government to evacuate with 
all convenient speed all military posts in acknowledged United States territory, 
leaving the American artillery, slaves and other property. 

In direct defiance, however, of this treaty the British government kept four mili- 
tary posts garrisoned by British soldiers in the State of New York, including one 
on Lake Champlain, and also one at Detroit, which commanded the straits, and one 
at Michillimacinac which commanded Lakes Superior and Huron, and held all 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 59 



these for thirteen years, — throughout President Washington's administration. In 
addition a fort was erected on the Miami river, Ohio, within admitted American 
jurisdiction, from whence the Miami, Maumee, Shawnee and Wyandot tribes of 
Indians were deliberately supphed with arms, ammunition and other necessaries to 
enable them to harass and check incoming settlers from the states, so that between 
I 783 and 1 790 it is estimated that 1 ,500 immigrants to Kentucky alone were 
killed and scalped. 

In addition, because of anticipated war with Spain, the British government 
stationed a sloop of war off Sandy Hook, to impress American sailors, and even 
Jersey fishermen, in sight of where they were born, were forcibly seized and com- 
pelled to serve and subjected day after day, if they refused to serve, to severest 
whipping at the mainmast with the cat-o-nine-tails until they succumbed to a service 
of years without word from home or family and even compelled to fight against 
their own country in the War of 1812. 

A melancholy instance of this was exhibited in the victorious combat, October 25, 
1812, between the U. S. frigate United States 44, and H. B. M. frigate Mace- 
donian 49, in which seven impressed American seamen were found on the British 
ship who had been forced to fight against their country's flag, two of whom were 
killed in the action. 

Because a sailor or even a shipmaster, despite his protection, spoke English, ergo 
he was an Englishman and taken from his own ship and flag to serve under the 
British flag. 

In order to render this species of service effective, commanding officers of British 
ships were given great discretionary authority and not subject to question in the 
use of the lash. 

They knew that the half-insane king, George III, profoundly hated the Americans 
and felt they could do almost anything against them without being subject to inquiry. 

The wars in Europe, from 1791 to 1815, diverted nearly all the carrying trade 
on the Atlantic and Mediterranean to our merchant ships and the immense profit 
derived by our farmers for all their produce, due to our neutral and pacific position, 
excited the jealousy of the two principal belligerents with maritime forces, England 
and France, and in the desire to deprive each other of this source of supplies and 
stimulated by the predatory spirit war engenders, when not checked by their owti 
governments, a systematic spoliation of American commerce was undertaken and 
recklessly pursued. 

Great Britain began it first as to the Spanish West Indies, ordering her cruisers 
to capture all neutral merchant ships trading to the colonies of a belligerent where 
such trade was not permitted in time of peace. 



60 State of New York 



This order, in violation of the law of nations, apphed almost exclusively to the 
American merchant marine and resulted in many captures and condemnations of 
such vessels and cargoes to the ruination of their owners. 

Then came the orders in council for the paper blockade of France, Holland and 
Germany from the Elbe lo Brest, a distance of more than eight hundred miles — 
followed by Bonaparte's Milan and Berlin decrees of a paper blockade of the 
whole British coast. Such a system of warfare, in violation of established neutral 
rights, was ruinous to American trade, which was threatened with annihilation. 

On June 19, 1812, the Gingress of the United States of America, declared war 
to exist between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the de- 
pendencies thereof and the United States of America and their territories. 

This appeal to arms by the American people, after unexampled forbearance, 
was made necessary by a continued series of hostile encroachments and aggressions 
on their rights, interests and territorial jurisdiction, and in defence of certain great 
principles of the laws of nations which had been oppressively violated for many 
years to their great injury. 

These causes cannot here be given. 

The speaker has conversed with many veteran native born American sailors who 
were forcibly irspressed from American merchant ships. 

At the declaration of war in June, 1812, there were then on record in the United 
States Department of State the cases of 6,257 seamen, citizens of the United States, 
who had been forcibly taken from American merchant ships and were then serving 
under compulsion in the British navy. 

When these American seamen learned of the war a large number refused to 
fight against their country. 

Some commanding officers by brutal floggings compelled the Americans in their 
crews to do duty, but 2,548 impressed American seamen withstood the terrors of 
such an infliction and were sent to Mill Prison as prisoners of war. 

It is pertinent to state here that this second war for American independence 
resulted in lasting mutual respect and regard between American and British seamen, 
resulting in closest recognition of kinship when associated together on service, a 
regard which, in later years, has been evinced time and time again in a substantial 
way when one or the other was temporarily involved in difficulties, and such actual 
or moral support was heartily given. 

As indicative of this feeling there is to-day in Newport Historical Society a 
sextant presented to Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry by the gallant Captain 
Robert Heriot Barclay, who had lost an arm under Nelson at Trafalgar and had 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 61 



commanded the British Squadron on Lake Erie, sent after his return to England 
and inscribed: "As an expression of appreciation of the kindness extended to him 
and his men after the defeat." 

Mr. Justice Riddell, and those hving authorities from whom he chose to quote, 
must now take heed that ahhough the Treaty of Ghent was silent on the subject, 
the following great principles as results of the war, and now engrafted in the law 
of nations, are ever to remain as evidence that the total casualties of the army 
and navy of the United States in that war, killed and wounded, and prisoners, 
anoounting to I 3,225, and of the British and their allies, amounting to 23,354, were 
not without effect in the results attained, viz : 

1 . That independence and territorial sovereignty of a nation is inviolable. 

2. That the national flag protects seamen on regularly documented American 

vessels against foreign impressment. 

3. That the neutral flag covers enemy's goods except contraband of war. 

4. That neutral goods, except contraband of war, are not liable to capture under 

an enemy's flag. 

5. That blockades in order to be binding must be effective: that is to say, main- 

tained by a force sufficient really to prevent access to the coast of the 
enemy and preclude a reasonable chance of entrance. 

These are the principles for which Oliver Hazard Perry and his military and 
naval associates fought. 

His career was one of the most inspiring to patriotic effort in England or America. 

His paternal ancestor, Edmund Perry, came from Devonshire, England, in I 630, 
and after a brief sojourn in Plymouth, Mass., settled in South Kingston, on Narra- 
gansett Bay, Rhode Island. 

Edmund Perry's great-grandson. Freeman Perry, born in I 732, who was grand- 
father of our Oliver Hazard Perry, was a member of Assembly and Judge, Court 
of Common Pleas, and married the daughter of Oliver Hazard, a gentleman of 
large landed estate and owning many slaves in the Narragansett country. 

Their third son, Christopher Raymond Perry, born December 4, 1761, was a 
midshipman in the Continental Navy of the Revolution, but too young to receive a 
commission, and later in the Continental Letter of Marque service, and was captured 
and confined for three months in the Jersey prison ship in the Wallabout, enduring 
dreadful miseries until he escaped. 



62 State of New York 



In October, I 784, being then only twenty-three years old, Christopher Raymond 
Perry, at that time master of a merchant sailing ship, married Sarah Alexander, a 
young lady of Scotch-Irish parentage, and on August 23, 1785, their first child, 
Oliver Hazard Perry, was born at the old family homestead not far from Point 
Judith Pond, South Kingston, R. I. 

His mother was possessed of much beauty of feature and attractive gentleness 
of manner, coupled with an unusual degree of force of mind and energy, which 
qualities were inherited by her son, Oliver Hazard Perry. 

From his father, when home from his long sea voyages, and relating his 
reminiscences of service in the Revolutionary War, he gathered valuable instruction, 
and when his father on June 9, 1 798, was commissioned a post captain in the 
United States navy and began to build the frigate General Greene, 28, at Warren, 
R. I., he received in April, 1 799, his warrant as midshipman in his father's ship, 
and served in the West Indies on convoy duty, and in a fight near Cape Tiburon, 
San Domingo, with three forts manned by insurgents, which were silenced in thirty 
minutes. 

Later he was in the blockade of the port of Jaquemel and bombardment of the 
place, which resulted in its surrender with 5.000 men to the constituted San Domingo 
authorities, that harbor having been a point from whence American commerce was 
seriously annoyed. 

With the inauguration of President Jefferson, who was opposed to a navy, it 
was incontinently reduced to the vanishing point and thirty-three out of forty-two 
captains, including Christopher Raymond Perry, were honorably discharged, but 
his son Oliver Hazard was retained. 

After little over a year on " waiting orders " the son was assigned as midshipman 
to the frigate Adams then at New York, and in June, 1802, sailed for Gibraltar 
and later to Tripoli — meanwhile at seventeen having been appointed an acting 
lieutenant, and, after duty in the Mediterranean, arrived home in the Adams in 
November, 1 803. and devoted himself to study, EUid in leisure hours to a society 
pre-eminently distinguished for intelligence and refinement. 

In the following July. 1 804, he was ordered to the historic Constellation, 38, 
then fitting out in Washington, but now permanently, it is to be hoped, in Newport 
harbor. 

Arriving off Tripoli in September, blockade duty was his fate under inefficient 
commanding flag officers until peace, having meanwhile been transferred as first 
lieutenant to the schooner Nautilus, in which he went to Gibraltar. 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 63 



His appearance, manners and conversation had especially attracted the attention 
of Commodore Rodgers and he was transferred to the historic Constitution, 44. 
then the flagship, until the Commodore, in the late summer 1806, shifted his flag to 
the Essex, 35, and returned home bringing Perry with him and arriving in Newport 
in October. 

Our hero then returned to his mathematical and other studies of his own 
volition, but must needs in January, 1807, fall in love, and became engaged to 
Miss Elizabeth Champlin Mason, then but fifteen, beautiful and intelligent and 
of an old Newport gentry family. 

He was then employed to build seventeen frail and useless harbor gunboats 
under the scandalous policy of President Jefferson. 

When they were built he was ordered to New York with them and continued 
for a time in command until ordered to proceed to Westerly, R. I., to build more, 
on which duty he was employed from February, 1 808, until their completion in 
April, 1 809, and was then appointed to the schooner Revenge, I 4 guns, in Long 
Island Sound and cruised vfilh the squadron of four frigates, five sloops and some 
smaller vessels, under Commodore Rodgers, until April, 1810, when ordered to 
Washington, where his schooner underwent extensive repairs. 

Sailing on a cruise May 20, 1810, on the southern Atlantic coast, with the 
consent of the Spanish governor, he boldly took out from off Amelia Island and from 
under the British gunbrig Plumper and schooner Jupiter, the merchant ship Diana 
of Wiscasset, which was there wrongfully under British colors and under the fictitious 
name of "Angel." 

Leaving Charleston, S. C, on August 10, and rejoining Commodore Rodgers in 
New York harbor for a cruise, he was sent with his vessel to Nevsfport, from whence 
on January 8, 1811, he proceeded to join the commodore at New London, but 
after being under sail an hour a dense fog arose and the vessel when beyond Point 
Judith, and under charge of an experienced and skillful pilot, ran on the rocks and 
become a total loss, everything of value on board, however, being saved. 

A Court of Inquiry fully and honorably exonerated Perry. 

On February 5, 1 8 II, he was married to Miss Mason. 

Having been promoted to be master-commandant he was in June, 181 I, given 
charge of a flotilla of twelve gun boats at Newport, a duty most distasteful to a 
navy man, but diligently and efficiently performed. 

In January, 1813, a new secretary of the navy, William Jones, came into office. 
On February 1 7, our hero received in Newport orders to proceed to Sackett's 
Harbor with all the best men under his command in the flotilla, and thence to Lake 
Erie, to command the squadron, the construction of which had been commenced. 



64 State of New York 



On Washington's birthday. February 22. 1813. an auspicious day in this regard 
for America. Perry relinquished his command of the flotilla at Newport and set out 
for Sackelt's Harbor. N. Y.. where Commodore Chauncey was in command on 
Lakes Erie and Ontario. 

It was a trip of much hardship at that time of year and through sparsely settled 
districts. 

Arriving on March 3d, he was detained a time by Commodore Chauncey. but on 
March 27, reached his destination at Erie, Pa., going by way of Buffalo, where 
he spent March 24th and 25th. At Erie Sailing Master Daniel Dobbins, United 
States Navy, with Noah Brown of New York as superintendent, was in charge of 
the construction of two twenty-gun brigs and four gunboats, whose frames, from 
trees cut down on the spot, were of white and black oak and chestnut, with outside 
planking of oak and decks of pine. 

No measures had been taken to forward the guns for the vessels nor had the fifty 
carpenters expected from Philadelphia arrived. 

Carpenters, blacksmiths, seamen, guns, sailcloth, pivot bolts for carronades, 
anchors, other iron work, ammunition, everything needful was lacking, and had to 
be brought at that inclement season a distance of five hundred miles over almost 
impassable roads through a sparsely settled country. 

Perry's energy and determination, aided by a manner which inspired confidence 
and regard, overcame everything. He was at Sackett's Harbor, Pittsburg or Buffalo 
when needful to expedite transportation of supplies. 

Early in May the gunboats were launched and later, the two brigs. 

Going to see Commodore Chauncey on Lake Ontario and to do so, walking or 
riding in a furious rainstorm or rowing in an open boat, our hero found the army 
under Major General Henry Dearborn, U. S. A., in conjunction with the navy 
about to assault Fort George, upper Canada, and for this operation he was given 
command of 500 seamen, which with the Third Regiment, U. S. Artillery, were to 
take the advance. 

Perry after reconnoitering in an open boat vWthin musket shot, directed certain 
schooners where to lie so their fire would be effective, and when the troops after 
landing fell back to the shore, this fire controlled the situation. 

Then landing he pushed forward with the reformed brigade and Fort George 
was taken. 

This most gallant conduct received due praise from Commodore Chauncey in his 
official report, but, as to Lake Erie matters, he seems to have been actuated more 
or less by jealousy for he withheld all the marines sent by the secretary of the navy, 




HON. CHARLES E. HUGHES 

Governor of New \'ork State, January 1, 1907, to 
October 6, 1910 




HON. HORACE WHITE 

Governor of New ^'ork State, October 6, 1910, to 
December 31, 1910 




HON. MARTIN H. GLYNN 
Governor of New ^'ork State, October 17, 191 3, to 
December 31, 1914 




HON. LOUIS P. FUHRMANN 
Mayor of Buffalo, N. Y., 1913 



The Pee^y's Victory Centenary 65 



via Sackett's Harbor for Lake Erie, so that our hero had to borrow from the 
Twenty-eighth U. S. Infantry Regiment, with Major General Harrison, soldiers to 
act as marines, but as it had been raised in Kentucky, the men were all expert 
riflemen and their fire was very destructive in the battle of Lake Erie. 

The capture of Fort George and retreat of the British enabled Perry to use 
water transportation for his stores through Niagara river and also remove with 
great difficulty into Lake Erie live small United States vessels, which had been 
detained at Black Rock, and on June 14, 1813, he sailed with them from Buffalo 
for Erie — the brig Caledonia of three long 24's, the schooner Somers of two 
long 32's, Amelia and Ohio of one 24 pounder each and sloop Trippe of one 
long 32. 

At Erie, after his two twenty-gun brigs were fully rigged, batteries mounted and 
ready to sail, it was only with incredible difficulty he got them over the bar and 
into deep water. 

When ready to sail on August 12th to meet the British squadron, Perry had 
about 400 officers and men to man two twenty-gun brigs, and eight smaller vessels 
mounting together fifteen guns, and making an aggregate of fifty-five guns for the 
whole squadron. 

On August 31st, while lying in Put-in-Bay, he received from Major General 
Harrison a re-enforcement of about 1 GO men, which, after deducting some casualties, 
raised his effective force to 490. 

Some of these soldiers were lake or river boatmen and were utilized as seamen. 

While Commodore Chauncey was keeping, despite urgent pleas, our young 
commander from receiving necessary officers and seamen to man his squadron, the 
British commander was building, launching and equipping a very strongly built ship, 
the Detroit of 500 tons and nineteen guns, all long except two twenty-four pound 
carronades. 

In addition Commander Barclay had the ship Queen Charlotte of 400 tons and 
seventeen guns, three of them being long guns, one of which in each of these ships 
was on a pivot. 

Also the schooner LaJv Prevost of 230 tons and thirteen guns, three being long 
guns; the brig Hunter of 180 tons and ten guns; the sloop Little Belt of 100 tons 
and three guns; the schooner Chipperva of 100 tons, mounting one long eighteen 
pounder, making in all sixty-three guns of which thirty-five were long and manned 
by 502 officers and men. 

At sunrise on September 1 0th, the British squadron was discovered from the mast- 
head of the Lawrence coming towards Put-in-Bay where the American squadron 



66 State of New York 



was at anchor, which in a few minutes was under sail, beating out of the harbor 
against a light southwest breeze, and with ahead to tow, but the breeze suddenly 
shifted to southeast which gave Perry the weather gauge. 

Clearing for action, weather serene and without clouds and sailing at about three 
knots an hour, for six miles the gallant antagonists slowly approached, the British 
ships newly painted and presenting a gallant appearance. 

Meanwhile the crew of the Lawrence which was in the lead, after recourse to 
their breadbags, and grog having been served, awaited the encounter in stern silence 
except as their beloved commander went to every battery to minutely inspect it and 
had a pleasant word for the captain of the gun and service detachment. 

Returning aft he produced his lettered burgee inscribed, " Don't give up the 
ship," and mounting on a gun slide asked, " Shall I hoist it? " adding " This flag 
contains Captain James Lawrence's last words." 

"Aye! Aye! Sir! " came from every part of the ship and the flag went up. 

Slowly the two squadrons approached each other and there was dead silence 
for an hour and a half until at the sound of a bugle on the Detroit, then distant 
a mile and a half, the British crews began to cheer. 

This ship then began the action vnth her long guns, of which her entire armament 
consisted, except two carronades, and as the Lawrence led the American line and 
could not return the fire except from one long twelve by reason of being armed with 
carronades, sail was made and orders by trumpet repeated to the squadron to close 
with the enemy. 

The Niagara, next but one in line, repeated the order to make sail, but did not 
do so, merely using one long twelve pounder. 

Meantime the Lawrence suffered terribly for half an hour of almost unresisted 
cannonade from the Detroit and soon from the guns of other ships, amounting in all 
to thirty-four guns which were brought to bear on her and the carnage was dreadful. 
At last getting into position where her carronades could be used, the Lawrence 
opened fire with great spirit and effect. 

Some of the smaller American vessels, the Caledonia, Scorpion and Ariel did 
all they could to help the Lawrence, but the Niagara, instead of closing vfith the 
Queen Charlotte, repiained practically out of action and the latter ship closed up 
on the Lawrence, whose forward division of starboard guns were then directed 
against the Detroit and the second division against the Queen Charlotte. 

TTie smaller American vessels being still too remote for effective service, the 
Lawrence for more than two hours with uninterrupted spirit maintained the fight 
against such tremendous odds, all due to the admirable manner in which Perry 



The Peeu^y's Victory Centenary 67 



had trained his crew, particularly those whom he affectionately termed his " Newport 
Boys." 

Aloft, most of the ships rigging was shot away and hanging down overboard, 
sails torn to pieces, spars wounded and falling on deck, brace and bowlines cut so 
as to make it impossible to keep the ship under control. 

On deck the destruction was even more terrible. 

One after another every gun but one was dismounted and the bulwarks were so 
beaten in that the enemy's round shot passed entirely through. 

Captain Alexander Slidell Mackenzie, U. S. N., has recorded that " the 
slaughter was dreadful beyond anything recorded in naval history. Of 100 well 
men who had gone into action, twenty-two were killed and sixty-one wounded." 

Meanwhile our hero continued to fire his single remaining carronade, using his 
chaplain and purser and wounded men to man the gun until it also was disabled 
and the purser wounded. 

Undismayed, collected and even calm, cheerful, his wounded and dying would 
look toward him with confidence and affection as did Bonaparte's in his palmiest 
days. 

His ship was now an unmanageable wreck and beginning to go astern, but still 
receiving the British shots. 

The Niagara which had kept aloof, was, at this time, half-past two, passing the 
Laivrence on her weather or larboard beam, distant nearly half a mile and rapidly 
going by the British squadron and soon would have been entirely out of action. 

Thereupon our hero determined to board her and bring her into action, and 
called for his boat. 

Standing erect in the boat, the British soon perceived his object and directed a 
fire of great guns and musketry on the boat, several of whose oars were splintered 
and the crew covered with spray from round and grape shot striking the water. 

Entreated by his crew he finally sat down, and, at the end of fifteen minutes, 
hard pulling, the Niagara was reached and his flag hoisted and its commander sent 
to bring up the slower American vessels. 

There were then but two wounded men on the ship and none killed. Its com- 
mander had presumably expected our hero to be killed and then with his fresh ship 
he would have reaped the glory which came to Perry. 

But fourteen men were left on the Lawrence undisabled by wounds, when Perry 
took his boat's crew of four men, and in order to stop further carnage. Lieutenant 
Yamall, commanding, having no gun serviceable to reply, her flag was hauled down, 
whereat the British sailors cheered, but they were unable to take possession for a 
new condition had arisen. 



68 State of New York 



Peny was bearing down in the Niagara, with signal hoisted for " close action." 

The Queen Charlotte and Detroit having run afoul of each other, the Niagara 
passed slowly under the bows of the Detroit, delivering a destructive raking fire of 
grape and canister and then vvath the larboard guns directing a murderous lire into 
the stern of the Lad]) Prevost and into the Little Belt, while the United States 
regular soldiers, all riflemen acting as marines, cleared the decks with the accuracy 
of their fire. 

The smaller American vessels now coming into action the jig was up and the 
British flag came down from one vessel after another, and the crew of the Larvrence 
thereupon raised over her again the Stars and Stripes. 

As tlie smoke cleared away, the Chippewa and Little Bell were discovered bear- 
ing away toward Maiden, but were pursued by the Scorpion and Trippe and 
brought back. 

Time will not permit, except most briefly, a sketch of our hero's subsequent 
career. 

He was at once promoted to the grade of Post Captain and received every mark 
of appreciation from the government, and on being relieved of the command of the 
Lake Erie squadron, met with a continual enthusiastic ovation on his return to 
Newport, where, on November 15, 1813, in the historic State House there, 
illuminated for the occasion, he was welcomed by his fellow citizens. 

Congress gave him its thanks and a gold medal and State Legislatures gave him 
thanks. 

Subsequent service on the Potomac in command of an hastily erected earth work, 
from which the British retiring from Washington were fired upon, afterwards in 
command of the frigate Java in the Mediterranean and then ordered to the coast 
of Venezuela in the sloop of war John Adams, on a diplomatic mission, were not 
especially eventful incidents, but this last service ended fatally, near Trinidad, from 
an attack of yellow fever, and our hero died on his birthday, August 23, 1819, aged 
34 years. 

President Monroe, in announcing the fact to Congress, in a message dated De- 
cember 7, 1819, said: 

" His death is deplored as a national misfortune." 

At his funeral services in Trinidad, the British battery in Fort St. Andrew, fired 
minute guns and his remains on landing were received by the Third British West 
India Regiment with arms reversed and British officers wearing white scarfs and 
hatbands, the band playing a dirge preceding the commander of the garrison and staff 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 69 



and British officers acting as pall bearers. The United States ship Lexington was 
sent to bring his remains home and on December 4, 1826, they were intened in 
the Common Burial Ground in Newport with imposing ceremonies, the Rhode 
island State Society, Order of the Cincinnati, of which he was a member, promi- 
nently participating as mourners. Such men make a nation truly great. 

Address of Hon. Dudley Field Malone 

The toastmaster then introduced the Hon. DUDLEY FlELD Malone, 
of New York City, Assistant Secretary of State of the United States, who 
delivered the address of the evening responding to the toast " The Presi- 
dent of the United States." Mr. Malone's brilliant address was listened 
to with the closest attention, frequent applause following his well rounded 
sentences. Mr. Malone said in part: 

The people of Buffalo are to be sincerely congratulated on the signal way in 
which they have paid fitting memorial to a great man and a great event. It is of 
striking and immeasurable value to the present generation that celebrations of this 
kind should frequently be held to renew the glory and re-emphasize the great qualities 
of our heroes and the great effects of their heroism which have grown to somewhat 
indefinite outline in the perspective of a century. 

I had the recent pleasure of traveling aboard our flagship, the DelaXvare, which 
ranks among the four greatest fighting vessels of the present American navy, and it 
was difficult to conceive as to-day I stood upon the sacred decks of the Niagara, the 
changes that have been brought about in a century in the growth and character of 
our naval equipment. But of infinitely greater significance when one steps from the 
steel latticed bridge of one of our modern dreadnoughts to the circumscribed deck 
space of the little Niagara, is the realization of the tremendous difficulties that Com- 
modore Perry had to overcome to fashion a fleet out of the heart of a virgin forest, 
which, by his valor and the patriotism of his men, proved itself superior to the 
British flotilla manned and officered by veterans of Nelson's armada. 

Gaze back through the perspective of a century to witness the strange and 
thrilling events in which Buffalo had her inrmortal share! The people of America 
are troubled and afraid, for on the Canadian border is the threatened menace of an 
enemy with rapidly building fleets and victorious armies. When the god of war 



70 State of New York 



bent on a test of our fitness for nationhood, brought us into our second war in 1812. 
we had no navy worthy of consideration, but we did have a great naval tradition. 
Nine frigates and nine small vessels pointed their guns beneath the Stars and Stripes 
while a thousand sail proclaimed the proud boast that Britain rules the seas. 
During the Revolution we had no continuous or coherent fighting force; only the 
genius of Paul Jones and the dashing courage of Jack Barry brought brilliant 
victories to the American people. These men established the naval tradition — a 
tradition of incomparable fighting. 

In the spring of 1813 a young captain of the navy, restless in the inactivity of 
seacoast defense, secures permission to march and meet the British on the lakes. He 
travels on sleds through the wilderness by way of Lake Ontario and Buffalo, to the 
little village of Erie, and there commands the strangest naval preparation since 
that early century when the energy of the Themistocles created the Athenian 
fleet which at Salemis swept the seas and won liberty and glory for Greece. On 
the forest shore of Lake Erie mighty trees that towered in their centuried strength 
as the morning sun drove the mist from the lake front, by evening's dusk had been 
fashioned into the timbers which can to-day be seen holding the keel and form of 
the old Niagara for the solemn edification of this generation. Extemporized forges 
blaze amidst the forest and as the iron is wrought great piles of scrap are accumu- 
lated to be tied into bags and fired at the rigging of the expected enemy. The fleet 
is complete. The British are sighted. The battle is fought. The victory is won. 
An immortal message is sent by one of America's immortals to thrill the hearts of 
all succeeding generations. 

Gentlemen, the indescribable hardships suffered by Perry and his men, the 
indefatigable courage and self-sacrifice in battle, the imperishable patriotism that 
made victory complete; the generous devotion to a cause that made the young com- 
modore's name a sacred thing even on the lips of rough-hewed men; the decisive 
defeat of foreign aggression; your magnificent display of patriotic interest in this 
celebration have all been in vain if this victory of American arms and the qualities 
of heart and mind that made Commodore Perry a leader, have no applicable signifi- 
cance for the present generation. 

You remember the circumstance that when Perry left the shattered Lawrence he 
took the pennant with Lawrence's dying words, " Don't give up the ship," but 
he left flying the Stars and Stripes. LawTence's flag was the flag of the principles 
of service which had inspired Perry to heroism; the Star Spangled Banner was 
the flag of his country for whom his deeds of heroism were accomplished. Every 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 71 



citizen to-day of the humblest origin and place in society should carry with him into 
his political opinion and action the principles of courage and sacrifice for which the 
flag of Lawrence was the emblem, and he should keep it unsullied in order that his 
personal principles may be of service to the flag of his country in peace and war. 
Flags symbolize the sentiment and the aspirations of a people. The flag of Lawrence 
emd of Perry brings hushed silence and reverent thoughts; the flag of our country 
flying in the free air should be the inspiration for every citizen to ask the question 
when in doubt as to the political stand he should take, what would Oliver Hazard 
Perry do as a citizen of America in these circumstances? Would he follow the 
schemes of personal interest, or would he serve the welfare of a nation and a people? 
He who can gaze upon the flag of our common country without an impulse of deep 
devotion is not a good citizen. 

Oh! beautiful emblem of Liberty's tree. 

Oh! star spangled flag of the land of the free, 

I love thee. Old Glory, with love that's as true 

And as pure as the stars in thy heavenly blue. 

There's no flag like my flag — • there's no flag like thine. 

Oh! patriots, countrymen, comrades of mine! 

'Tis kissed by God's breezes, by angels caressed. 

Beloved by the North, by the South, East and West, 

And each brilliant star shooting forth when unfurled. 

Sends flashes of hope to the oppressed of the world. 

The same qualities essential to the garland victories of war are necessary to the 
national accomplishments of peace. The same courage, the same disinterestedness 
of service, the same self-sacrifice, the same willingness to surrender all things personal 
for the triumph of a cause are as ardently needed in these " piping times of peace " 
as they were on that beautiful day when Perry rode victorious against the British 
fleet. 

I have sometimes doubted if it was not infinitely more difficult to be a leader of 
our people in times of peace than in times of stress and warfare. In times of war, 
without regard to the justifiable causes of the conflict, the people stand in enthusiastic 
support of any step the President may take. In times of peace the President may 
even more loyally serve the interests of a people, yet the acrimonies of partisanship, 
the railings of demagogues and the news reports colored by the glittering gold of 
interested groups of men, all conspire to the distortion of a leader's motives and 
capacity. (Great applause.) 



72 State of New York 



I have been asked to speak to the toast, " The President of the United States." 
I hope I may do so without political significance, because in America we are all 
partisans before election day, but after election day we are all Americans. 

In 1908 I campaigned through the East with a man who by his successful 
handling of the Japanese and Mexican problems bids fair to rival the records of any 
previous Secretary of State. Mr. Taft was elected President, but on the 5th of 
March when my regiment marched by the reviewing stand in Washington, Wilham 
Howard Taft, the President of the American people, was as much my President as 
he was of any man in the long line of march. 

We honor the name and commemorate the deeds of Perry because he brought a 
war to a successful issue for his country. History will record this nation's tribute 
of respect and gratitude to the present President of the United States who, by 
indomitable courage, unswerving patience, unfailing tact and an incomparable per- 
sonality, has saved 90,000,000 of people from the ravages of a senseless war in 
Mexico, and thousands upon thousands of American homes from the loss of fathers 
emd sons on the field of futile battle. To stand against the doubts of a people, the 
impulsive conclusions of the press, the abuse of those who place property above 
morals, and the temptation to certainly perpetuate his tenure of office by a successful 
war against a weaker people is an exhibition of rare courage and heroic leadership 
that is worthy of the dignity and honor of the Presidency of the United States. 

With the continuance of peace at home and abroad great things may be accom- 
plished. The economic demands of a people, the economic demands of the Nation, 
will be met at this session of the Congress by a tariff and currency bill. The solemn 
pledges of accomplishment made by the leader of his party to an expectant people 
will be fulfilled. Increasing prosperity will be the measure of the President's sagacity 
and constructive statesmanship. His devotion to the peaceful needs of our people, 
his magnetic and attractive personal qualities, his dominating nnind and a character 
of essential integrity justify the prophecy and the belief that as Providence in other 
crises has given to the American people in Washington and in Lincoln men of the 
full stature of patriotic statesmanship, so has He given to the American people in 
these days of economic crisis a man who will rise above all the small temptations of 
partisan politics to serve his country in this generation that the republic may go on 
through the centuries of time to accomplish the high destiny for which it was con- 
ceived. (Long continued applause.) 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 73 



August Belmont of New York, introduced by Mr. Scatcherd as a 
grand-nephew of Commodore Perry, followed Mr. Malone. Mr. Bel- 
mont received an inspiring welcome. 

August Belmont Speaks 

" When I came here to-night," said Mr. Belmont, " I did not expect to be called 
upon as the representative of the Perry family. When I received my invitation I 
wrote to the commander's grandson, TTiomas Sargent Perry, at Bridgeport, Conn. 
He told me he would confine himself to the simple services over his grandfather's 
grave at Nevkport. But he advised me to attend the celebration here, for, he said, it 
probably would be the last celebration of the victory. He explained that with 
die advent of woman suffrage they would probably cease to honor the deeds of men 
and confine themselves to the heroes of pink teas. 

Mr. Belmont then spoke of the tendency of the Perrys to take up 
careers as sailors or soldiers. 

"At one time," he said, " there were seventeen cousins of the Perry family in 
Annapolis Naval academy and it has been a source of regret to me that my 
surroundings were such that I took up a commercial career, honorable as it may be, 
instead of a military or naval one." 

TTien Mr. Belmont thanked the diners for the honor they had paid to 
the memory of Oliver Hazeu-d Perry. 

Remarks of Rev. A. V. V. Raymond 

The Rev. Dr. A. V. V. RAYMOND of Buffalo was next introduced. 
He said in part: 

As I look upon this brilliant gathering I understand what he meant who said: 
" In such a presence the fact that one is not distinguished is sufficient to make him 
distinguished." And when I think of myself as one of the speakers I am thankful 



74 State of New York 



my responsibility is not that of those who asked me to speak, for you all realize that 
such an invitation carries an acceptance with it. Is there one here who would have 
hesitated a moment to say the word that would put his name on a programme destined 
to go down into history? 

We have our answer in the demonstrations of this week. Without any process 
of reasoning we feel instinctively that he realized the higher responsibilities of life 
who wrote his name so large that it is hailed with gratitude by 90,000,000 of 
people after the lapse of 1 00 years. 

Think of the silent influence of that little brig down in the harbor. What an 
insignificant thing it is in itself. How unworthy of comparison with the great 
steamers that go in and out of our port daily. Yet what a glory crowns that little 
vessel ! 

Nor should we forget that Oliver Hazard Perry was not alone on the decks of the 
vessel that sailed to victory 100 years ago. His is the name we acclaim because 
he was the commander, but what of the men who obeyed, the men who followed 
where he led, who fell in the fight while he lived? 

If I were to propose a toast to-night, it would not be to the memory of Oliver 
Hazard Perry, whose name is honored by all, but to *' The Others." the unnamed 
heroes of the battle of Lake Erie. 

Address of Justice Herbert P. Bissell 

Justice Herbert P. Bissell of the Supreme Court was introduced 
following Dr. Raymond. The justice had to wait for the applause to die 
out before he was able to begin his address. TTien he said : 

This commemoration of Perry's victory not only transplants us to the scenes of a 
hundred years ago, but brings us to a realization of the wonderful progressive 
development of the past century, in education, science and material wealth. 

We are impressed by a review of the primitive conditions of naval warfare on the 
lakes, when we find that Perry's famous flagships — the Lawrence and the Niagara 
— were each of 480 tons burden, and 110 feet in length ; while the aggregate 
tonnage of the nine war vessels comprising his victorious fleet was 1 ,67 1 tons. The 
papers left by Daniel Dobbins, the brave and efficient sailing master to whom the 
construction of the flagships was entrusted, inform us that he was authorized at the 
outset to draw upon the Navy Department at Washington for the sum of $2,000, 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 75 



and that the total cost of these celebrated ships approximated $19,500. The sum 
of one dollar was paid for each standing tree that entered into their construction. The 
trees were cut and sawed by hand, and the nails were manufactured without the 
aid of machinery. 

When we stop and consider that the annual appropriations for the United States 
navy now aggregate $140,000,000 and that a single warship constructed of steel 
has a displacement of 15,000 tons and cosU the government $10,000,000. we 
appreciate that times indeed have changed. 

Turning from the contemplation of the primitive conditions existing upon the 
water at the time when this gallant young hero and his self-sacrificing companions 
re-established American supremacy on the great lakes, our minds are also filled with 
reflections on the conditions of life that surrounded the sturdy pioneers who settled 
western New York and opened the way for the march of the American nation across 
the American continent. In 1813 the frontier of western New York consisted of 
two counties — Niagara and Chautauqua — with a population of 8,432 persons, 
of whom 1.508 lived in the township of Buffalo. This same territory to-day 
rejoices in an aggregate population of 750,000 inhabitants. 

We have heard much in recent years of the " strenuous life " which has been 
defined as " the life of toil and effort, of labor and strife; of that highest form of 
success which comes, not to the man who desires mere easy peace, but to the man who 
does not shrink from danger, from hardship or from bitter toil, and who out of these, 
wins the splendid ultimate triumph;" and I venture to say that the strenuousness of 
these days does not compare in dauntless courage and noble self-sacrifice with that 
displayed by the patriots and pioneers of a century ago. 

As we look back upon the crudities existing at the time of the pioneer settlement 
of this region, how vividly do we realize that improvement, progression, advance- 
ment and development are stamped on every part of creation, on every department 
of science and every sequence of events! 

Let us picture briefly the stout-hearted pioneer emigrating to this vn\d region a 
hundred years ago, conveying his family and all of his worldly possessions in a heavy 
old Dutch wagon, drawn by a span of sorrily-jaded horses, through woods, across 
streams, along corduroyed roads and roads that sadly needed to be corduroyed. 
There were no brick or macadam highways in those days. The journey occupies 
many days, and finally the obstacles have been overcome, the hardships have all 
been patiently endured, and the little opening in the timber reached, where, on the 
morrow, will be erected the log cabin in which they are to begin their frontier life. 
Wolves and other wild animals howl about them, and they are uncertain of the 



76 State of New York 



friendliness of the Indian owners whose domain they have invaded. The cabin of 
logs — a rude hut twelve by fifteen feet square — is finally completed. It has no 
sash or glass, but the small window-hole is covered by an old newspaper, printed far 
away in New England or Pennsylvania; and the first door is covered by the canvas 
which sheltered them on their journey in the wagon. The furniture — chairs, bed- 
steads and tables — are all hewn out of rude logs; and then, with the simple cooking 
utensils they have brought with them, they begin housekeeping in their new home. 
They are miles distant from any other human habitation and beyond the reach of 
mails or other conveniences. 

But here, v^nth faith in God and faith in themselves, they begin to live their new 
life — a life of progress from the most primitive elements of civilization throughout 
all the years that shall be given them to the prosperity of those who shall live when 
they are gone — a life of hardship and unremitting toil, freely devoted to the coming 
generation. Truly a genuine example of the strenuous life! 

The advancement of civilization in education, refinement, science and material 
wealth since this region was settled has certainly made the past century a marvel of 
progressive improvement. Our fathers suffered the deprivations and the hardships; 
we are enjoying the benefits and the glory ! 

When we review the conditions of life that surrounded the colonists and pioneers, 
and contrast them with the conditions that we are enjoying and accepting as a matter 
of course to-day, I sometimes wonder how these changed conditions would affect 
him, if we could bring back to life Benjamin Franklin, the greatest and most 
progressive citizen of the eighteenth century, the sage, the philosopher and philan- 
thropist who founded here in America the first public library and the first hospital, 
organized the first police force and the first fire company, built the first pavements, 
established the American Philosophical Society and the academy which afterwards 
grew into the great and flourishing University of Pennsylvania, and who above all 
things, we should remember in this practical age, first discovered the practical appli- 
cation of electricity. 

Now let us, in imagination, awaken him from his long slumber in Christ church 
cemetery in Philadelphia where he was laid to rest in 1 790, and then buy him a 
ticket from Philadelphia to New York in a Pullman parlor car, with a dining car 
attached in which he will get a better dinner than he ever ate in his life, and proceed 
to his destination on a steam-drawn vestibule train. When in two or three hours* 
time he reaches the Hudson river which he crossed in a small boat as a runaway 
apprentice from Boston in 1 723, send him through a tube under the river on a car 
propelled by electricity — the force whose practical application and value he first 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 77 



discovered. When he emerges let him stare for awhile at the magnificence of the 
great railway station, and then drive him swiftly in a taxicab to the Waldorf-Astoria, 
and take him up in an electric elevator to the sixteenth story where he can find a 
telephone hanging on the wall of his room and have a talk with his wife, Sarah 
Read, back home in Philadelphia. 

Now, if by this time, the great philosopher and sage is not sufficiently dazed and 
astounded, why turn on the electric lights and wind up a Victrola so that an orchestra 
of seventy-five pieces can play him some selections from Handel's oratorios out of a 
box two feet square, while a wireless message is transmitted to him from mid-ocean, 
sent by the Morse code from the deck of a steamship built of steel which is crossing 
the Atlantic in five days' time over the course which occupied the packet ship five 
weeks' time when he sailed from New York to London in 1 767, to appeal to the 
British crown for justice for the American colonies. 

The next morning, after he has been taught how properly to use and enjoy the 
luxuries of modern plumbing, we will invite him to take a ride in a trolley car or an 
automobile for a trip to Belmont Park where he may see a flock of aeroplanes darken- 
ing the sky while one of them flies out of sight encircling the Statue of Liberty in 
New York harbor; or perhaps he might see Rodgers starting out on his 4,000 mile 
flight, from ocean to ocean, across the American continent. And then returning by 
the elevated railway and through the subway, we must not forget to entertain him in 
the evening with moving pictures, representing in color the magnificent details of the 
recent coronation of a successor to his despotic majesty. King George the Third. 
Of course he would wish to use a kodak so he could take a few snapshots of the 
skyscrapers forty and fifty stories high that have replaced some of the two-story 
structures of the eighteenth century. 

I hardly think it will be necessary to take him for a trip in a submarine boat, for 
I feel sure that by this time the great philosopher, the wisest and most progressive 
American of the eighteenth century, will either be a candidate for an institution for 
the insane, or glad to return to his slumbers in Christ church cemetery, well satisfied 
with the progress and development of the United States in the past century ! 

Surely, Mr. Toastmaster and gentlemen, we Americans have just cause for 
optimism, and to rejoice that the prize for which the heroes and patriots, the pioneers 
and backwoodsmen fought — the American continent — has developed in a com- 
paratively brief period of time into a nation possessing everything that begets material 
prosperity and individual happiness! 



78 State of New York 



Remarks by Hon. Edward H. Butler 

Hon. Edward H. Butler, editor and proprietor of The Bufalo 
Evening Neivs, spoke next, saying : 

I want to say that we have this week hved up to the slogan of the Chamber of 
Commerce that Buffalo Means Business. I think that a close adherence to that 
motto will mean a bigger Buffalo. I want to say a word about Mr. Conners and 
the other men responsible for this affair. We will thank Senator Malone, too. I 
want to call attention to the monument which is to be placed at the Front in honor of 
Perry. 

I want to say, too, that the people of Buffalo have been unified in their efforts to 
make the celebration a great success. We must thank the ladies, too, for the 
important part which they played in this affair. 

Before the Rev. Father Kean was introduced, Toastmaster Scatcherd 
paid a sterling tribute to Commodore George H. Worlhington of Cleve- 
land. Mr. Scatcherd said it was through the efforts of Commodore 
Worlhington that the centennial celebration spread from city to city 
along the lakes. Commodore Worlhington did not speak. The last 
speaker introduced was the Rev. M. J. Kean, who, in a good natured way, 
pictured the spirit of Oliver Hazard Perry returning to the Queen City 
of the Lakes, from the dock at the foot of Main Street, to view the so- 
called improvements — the Lackawanna station, the Lehigh station, the 
Central station, designated the " Union Station," and the Terrace station. 

Fear of disturbing the peace of the citizenship allowed the old original 
conditions to sleep on Main Street, the expectation of beauty, in the mmd 
of the great Commodore, had assumed the veritable appearance of a 
" Midway " and the Soldiers' and Sailors* beautiful monument presented 
a picture of a wall of commercialism surrounding it. 

Dropping this feature of his address. Father Kean concluded by a 
picture of the first proclamation of peace, uttered more than nineteen 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 79 

centuries ago by the Divine Architect of Nature, and the Creator of 
humankind, a lesson as cheerfully accepted as lovingly given, and now 
forming a bond of friendship where once bitter enmity prevailed. 

Were Oliver Hazard Perry among us tonight, the nobleness of spirit 
and the patriotism that prompted his actions in the historic days com- 
memorated tonight, would speak out and sanction the purpose of this 
distinguished gathering. 

Let Buffalo take up that spirit and weave and mould it into its life's 
actions for future greatness. 

This splendid entertainment, unsurpassed in the history of Buffalo, was 
attended by many of its leading citizens, representatives of its business, 
professional and official life. 

Those at the speaker's table were Chairman William J. Conners, of 
the Perry's Victory Commission, Hon. John F. Malone, Chairman of the 
Executive Committee, Toastmaster John N. Scatcherd, Secretary George 
D. Emerson and Treasurer William Simon of the Perry Commission; 
Commodore George H. Worthington of Cleveland, Ohio; Hon. Dudley 
Field Malone, Assistant Secretary of State, Washington, D. C. ; Rev. 
A. V. V. Raymond, Mayor Louis P. Fuhrmann, Hon. Edward H. 
Butler, Hon. August Belmont of New York City, Hon. William F. 
Rafferty of Syracuse, Colonel Asa Bird Gardiner of New York City, 
Rev. M. J. Kean, Justice Herbert P. Bissell, Supreme Court, Hon. 
Simon L. Adler of Rochester, N. Y., Hon. William L. Ormrod of 
Churchville, N. Y., Hon. Jacob Schifferdecker of Brooklyn, N. Y., 
Hon. T. W. Finnucane of Rochester, N. Y.. and General J. Warren 
Keifer of Springfield, Ohio. Vocal and instrumental music, interspersed 
at intervals, enlivened the occasion. 



80 State of New York 



PUBLIC MEETING OF NIAGARA FRONTIER. BUF- 
FALO CHAPTER. NATIONAL SOCIETY. 
DAUGHTERS OF 1812 

On Friday afternoon, September 5th. Niagara Frontier, Buffalo 
Chapter. National Society, Daughters of 1812, held a meeting at 
the Twentieth Century Club, which was well attended and marked with 
an enthusiastic, patriotic spirit. 

In a stirring address Hon. Peter A. Porter inspired the women in the 
audience with the feeling that they were celebrating a victory which was 
in large measure won by women. Not only had they been the silent agents 
who furnished food, clothing, bandages and other necessities, but they 
had given Perry the flag to raise over the Laxerence. When the first 
flagship had to be abandoned. Perry carried the banner slung over his 
shoulder as he was rowed in a small boat, the target of thirty British guns, 
to the Niagara, where the Stars and Stripes, presented by women, con- 
tinually stirred the fighters to their utmost. 

How the 116 guns, brought by the Commodore out of the fray and 

allowed to remain at Erie for a time because of lack of funds for their 

removal, were allowed to boom forth the opening of the Erie canal was 

also described by Mr. Porter. The guns were placed at ten-mile intervals 

from Buffalo to New York, and as the boat, carrying the Governor, the 

Mayor of Buffalo and other officials, left Buffalo, the cannon were shot 

off in turn, the entire number requiring one hour and ten minutes. 

Describing the incident Mr. Porter said: 

In that battle Perry had 54 guns at the start. During the fight one gun on the 
Ariel burst. The British had 63 cannon. Wlien the battle ended, all in all. 
Perry was just 1 1 6 guns to the good. 




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The Perry's Victory Centenary 81 



Later on, as the various vessels of both the fleets were either sunk, sold or other- 
wise disposed of by the United Slates government, the guns were all stored at Erie. 
It was too expensive to transport them by land to the seacoast. But the time was 
soon to come when those cannon, which had engaged in deadly conflict at Put- 
in-Bay, were to be employed in carrying a message of peace. 

When the Erie canal neared completion the United States government decided 
to transfer those cannon over it to Brooklyn. There were no telegraphs in those 
days. Some bright man or perhaps it was a woman, conceived the idea of employing 
those cannon to carry the news from Lake Erie to New York bay that the Erie canal 
was an accomplished fact. So arrangements were made with the firm which had the 
contract to transport them, that on a sort of trial trip through the canal they should 
drop off those cannon at about ten-mile intervals, between Buffalo and Albany, and 
so on down the Hudson river. 

This was done; those guns were brought to Buffalo from Erie by vessels. At 
Buffalo they were transferred to the first canalboats that were ever built for our 
great waterway and some 50 of them — the largest, both American and the captured 
British guns (there were about 35 of the latter and fifteen of the former), were 
deposited on the canal bank from Buffalo to Albany, and along the shore of the 
Hudson. 

TTien in October, 1825, one fine morning, as the canal boat Seneca Chief 
entered the canal from Lake Erie (down near the foot of Porter avenue), the first 
gun of that long chain, boomed out from The Terrace. 

And, as its thunder was heard at Black Rock, a gun there took up the message, 
and so on clear across the State, gun after gun repeating the message, clear down 
to New York bay, in one hour and ten minutes, was carried the news, that at the 
village of Buffalo, the Erie canal, thenceforth to be the glory of the Empire State, 
and a factor in transportation, had been officially declared open. 

Perry's guns had thus their victories in peace as well as in war. 

An interesting part of the exercises was the presentation by Roderick 
J. Cant of an 1812 flag, the gift of Mrs. Charles J. North to 
the Niagara Frontier, Buffalo Chapter. TTie flag, which was held 
during the speech by Miss Florence Cant, has fifteen stars and stripes. 
The response of Mrs. Robert Fulton, first vice regent, who presided, was 
followed by the singing of the Star Spangled Banner by Mrs. Howard 
6 



82 State of New York 

Hamilton Baker, soloist of the afternoon, accompanied by Mrs. Clara 
Gentzsch McGuire. Another appropriate feature was the song. Perry's 
Victory, by Samuel Taggart, who was a poetic combination of shoemaker, 
composer and violinist, and who wrote this eulogy of sixteen verses soon 
after the battle, composing his own music. One verse with the original 
music was sung before the Battle Prayer of Koerner, and several other 
verses were sung to the music of Brahms, to which Mrs. Baker had 
adapted the words. Mrs. Baker also sang Joseph Hopkinson's Hail 
Columbia, her entire programme, thoroughly in keeping with the spirit of 
the celebration, being warmly applauded. 

How far-reaching was the enthusiasm in this centenary was shown in 
the representation of other State Chapters of Daughters of 1812. Mrs. 
Dudley E. Cornell, Kansas City, State President of Kansas; Mrs. 
Charles H. Smith of Cleveland, State President of Ohio; Mrs. T. L. A. 
Greve of Cincinnati, Honorary President of Ohio, and Mrs. C. Elwood 
Brown, coming in place of Mrs. Kate Kearney Henry, President of the 
United States Daughters of 1812 in the District of Columbia, were 
present and spoke briefly. 

Mrs. Cornell, first daughter of 1812 in Kansas and organizer and first 
president of the society there, is a granddaughter of Colonel Dennis, 
who fought on the Niagara frontier. The only centennial Kansas has 
had thus far, said Mrs. Cornell, was in 1905, when a monument was 
erected to General Zebulon Pike, who on his journey to the west lowered 
the Spanish flag in Kansas and gave it a good start by raising the Stars 
and Stripes. TTie same patriotism inspired and was renewed by both 
these centenaries celebrating events which meant so much to all parts of 
the country. 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 83 

Mrs. Smith invited all the Buffalo daughters to the Cleveland celebra- 
tion, from September 1 4th to the 1 7th, during which there would be un- 
veiled in Gordon Park the Perry monument, which was first erected in 
1860 and has been traveling around ever since to accommodate the 
growing city. Mrs. Greve brought greetings not only from Cincinnati, 
but also from California, where she is a former regent of the California 
Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution of San Francisco 
and honorary vice-president of the Colonial Dames of California. She 
also announced herself very much a New Yorker, being a descendant of 
the first white child born in the New Netherlands, which makes her a 
Daughter of the Holland Dames, another of the many societies of which 
she is a member. 

In addition to these speeches by women from other states, there were 
telegraphed greetings from Mrs. John Miller Horton, Buffalo regent, 
then at The Hague, where she attended the Peace Congress the pre- 
ceding week, and from Mrs. Charles Burt Tozier, founder and regent 
of the Commodore Perry Chapter of Cleveland, past president of 
the Ohio society and chairman of the Women's Committee of the 
Perry Victory Centennial in the city of Cleveland, Ohio. An historic 
touch was given to the programme by the exhibition of a huge spike 
from the flagship Larvrence, brought by Mrs. George C. Bell. An 
invocation, offering thanks for the courage of those heroes who offered 
their lives for their country, and praying that " the glory of the past 
be not dimmed by the children of the present," was offered by the Rev. 
Andrew V. V. Raymond, DD., LL.D., at the opening of the pro- 
gramme. 

A reception followed the exercises. The girls who assisted in serving 
refreshments were Miss Edla Gibson, Miss Lois Smith, Miss Helen Kent, 



84 State of New York 



Miss Florence Cant, Miss Helen Jackson and Miss Helen Doorty. The 
table and platform were decorated with huge baskets in red, white and 
blue, white asters, red gladioli and blue ribbon. The red-shaded candles 
on the table, the huge flags on the platform and the small silken banners 
arranged throughout the hall carried out still further the patriotic tone 
of the meeting. Through the courtesy of the Twentieth Century Club 
the guests viewed Miss Carlisle's pictures of English gardens. The 
students here on a tour from the convention of the federation in Ithaca, 
with the men of the Saturn Club, who were their hosts at luncheon the 
day before, were Jimong the guests invited to the celebration and recep- 
tion. Preceding the meeting the committee which arranged it entertained 
at luncheon in the Twentieth Century Club in honor of the visiting State 
regents. 

SPECTACULAR FEATURES OF THE CELEBRATION 

The spectacular part of the celebration was no less brilliant than the 
intellectual and oratorical. On Wednesday evening, September 3rd, a 
magnificent display of fireworks was given in the Niagara river facing 
Riverside Park, which was witnessed by a gathering of people estimated 
at 1 50,000 in number. 

Thursday, September 4th, was set apart as Military Day and its 
more prominent features were the official banquet in the evening and the 
military parade which started from Niagara Square at ten o'clock in the 
forenoon. Under the leadership of General Samuel M. Welch, com- 
manding the Fourth Brigade, National Guard, New York, as Grand 
Marshal, there were in line the Twenty-ninth United States Infantry, 
under Colonel John S. Mallory, with army wagons, machine guns, hos- 
pital corps, etc., and the Third, Sixty-fifth and Seventy-fourth Infantry 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 85 

Regiments, commanded respectively by Colonels William Wilson, George 
J. Haffa and Charles J. Wolf, Battery A, First Field Artillery, Captain 
Guido Verbeck, Troop I, First Cavalry, Captain William J. Donovan, 
all of the National Guard of the State of New York and the Third 
Battalion Naval Militia of the State of New York, Commander Edward 
N. Walbridge, together with a large contingent of United Spanish 
War Veterans and other unofficial military organizations. In all, about 
7,000 men were in line fully uniformed, armed and equipped. No 
finer military display ever passed along the streets of Buffalo. After 
the parade, the commissioned officers were invited to participate in the 
receptions at the Castle, Fort Porter, and the residence of Mrs. Hamlin, 
No. 1014 Delaware Avenue. 

Friday afternoon, September 5th, was given up to the firemen of 
western New York and vicinity, both active and exempt, who paraded in 
full uniform, bringing with them various equipages, decorated in most 
a'listic and attractive designs. This display was regarded by many as one 
of the most interesting features of the entire celebration and the very suc- 
cessful manner in which the plans were carried out, the visiting firemen 
being entertained by their brethren of Buffalo, was a source of great 
satisfaction not only to the Commission but to those who projected this 
picturesque turnout. 

The parade, which was witnessed by thousands of spectators gathered 
along its principal streets, was under charge of Edward P. Murphy, 
Assistant Chief of the Buffalo Fire Department, as Grand Marshal, 
with Colonel George J. Haffa of the Sixty-fifth Regiment, N. G. N. Y., 
as Chief of Staff. In addition to a number of bands scattered at inter- 
vals through the line the following companies participated in this exceed- 
ingly interesting display: 



86 State of New York 



FIRST DIVISION 

Michael Brummer, Marshal 

Exempt Firemen's Association, Buffalo, N. Y. ; Dye Hose Company, Albion, 
N. Y. ; Arcade Fire Department, Arcade, N. Y. ; Dewey Hook and Ladder Com- 
pany, Brockport, N. Y. ; Pioneer Hook and Ladder Company, Lake City Hose 
Company, Dunkirk Hose Company and Murray Hose Company, all of Dunkirk, 
N. Y. ; Independent Hose Company, Cohocton, N. Y. ; Brocton Hose Company, 
Brocton. N. Y.; Alden Hose Company, Alden, N. Y. ; First Volunteer Hose 
Company, Lackawemna, N. Y. 

SECOND DIVISION 

H. LocHMAN, Marshal 

Hamburg Exempt Firemen's Association, Hamburg, N. Y. ; Hamburg Fire 
Department, Hamburg, N. Y. ; Depew Hose Company, Depew, N. Y.; Central 
Hose Company, Depew, N. Y. ; Kenmore Fire Department, Kenmore, N. Y. ; 
Rescue Hose Company. Doyle Hose Company and Forks Hose Company, all of 
Cheektowaga, N. Y. ; Active Hose Company, Sloan, N. Y. : Victory Hose 
Company. Lackawanna, N. Y. 

THIRD DIVISION 

Patrick Webb. Marshal 

Lancaster Fire Department (four companies), Lancaster, N. Y. ; LaSalle Fire 
Company, LaSalle, N. Y. ; Alert Hose Company. North Tonawanda, N. Y.; 
LeRoy Chemical Hose Company. LeRoy, N. Y. ; Silver Creek Hook and Ladder 
Company. Silver Creek. N. Y. ; Silver Creek Hose Company, Silver Creek, N. Y. ; 
Merriton Hose Company. Merriton, Ontario. Canada; Exempt Firemen's 
Association, Hamilton. Ontario. Canada. 

FOURTH DIVISION 

Matt. Endres. Marshal 

Veteran Firemen's Association. Buffalo. N. Y. ; Fountain Hose Company, 
Springville, N. Y. ; Lyndonville Hose Company, Lyndonville, N. Y.; Pavilion 
Hose Company, Pavilion, N. Y. ; Hutchinson Hose Company, Williamsville. 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 87 



N. Y.; Protection Hose Company, Thorold, Ontario, Canada; Sherman Fire 
Department, Sherman, N. Y. ; Eggertsville Hose Company, Eggertsville, N. Y. ; 
Angola Hook and Ladder Company, Angola, N. Y. ; Angola Hose Company, 
Angola, N. Y. ; Exempt and Veteran Firemen in carriages. 

FIFTH DIVISION 

Second Ballalion, Buffalo Fire Department 

Battalion Chief George Hedden, Marshal 

Engine Company Number Three (motor engine) ; Engine Companies Numbers 
One, Two, Five, Nine, Eleven, Eighteen and Thirty-four; Hook and Ladder 
Companies Numbers One and Two; Chemical Engine Number Three; Water 
Tower Number One; Fire Boat Hose Tender. 

The line was formed near the McKinley monument, Niagara Square, 
and line of march thence to Niagara street, to Franklin street, to the 
Terrace, to Main, to Goodell, to Oak, to north side of Broadway, to 
Jefferson, counter-marching on the south side of Broadway to the Audi- 
torium, where the parade was dismissed and luncheon served to the 
visiting firemen. 

On Friday evening, September 5th, took place the parade of decorated 
automobiles and it is no exaggeration to say that to no part of the entire 
celebration was given more care, thought and study in the preparations, 
than to this event. Many of the automobiles were trimmed in a manner 
showing much careful thought, which resulted in handsome as well as 
unique designs. The large crowds who were on the streets that evening 
evidently viewed this display with much gratification. 

During all of the days of the week, commencing on Tuesday, Septem- 
ber 2nd, while the features of the programme which have already been 
outlined were being carried out, a multitude of other attractive events as 
named in the programme helped to round out those most interesting days. 



88 State of New York 

The motor boat parades, yacht club parades, motor boat club, launch 
club, yacht club and the rowing boat races, and the swimming meet under 
the auspices of the Buffalo Launch Club, called forth as witnesses large 
circles of friends deeply interested in the results; the aviation exhibit, some 
features of which were exploited each day, was never excelled in this 
part of the country; the balloon ascensions held their share of the atten- 
tion of the thousands who came out on the streets during the five days of 
jubilee. One very unique feature was the spectacular firemen's run which 
took place Tuesday evening, September 2nd. A number of pieces of 
the fire apparatus of the city of Buffalo were gathered on Main street 
between Goodell and Tupper streets under the leadership of Edward 
P. Murphy, Assistant Chief of the Department, who also later in the 
week acted as Grand Marshal of the Volunteer Firemen's parade. By 
the liberal use of red fire an imitation fire was kindled on the Terrace 
and, at a given signal, the assembled engines, hose carts, wagons, etc., 
started on a furious gallop down Main street. Chief Murphy leading 
the way. To prevent accidents the street was cleared for the space of 
time needed and the crowds that lined Main street to witness this unusual 
spectacle — "a fire to order " — were simply enormous. 

Through the courtesy of the Board of Park Commissioners of the 
City of Buffalo, the Municipal Park Band was placed at the disposal of 
the Commission free of charge and gave band concerts, commencing 
Tuesday afternoon, September second, on each afternoon and evening 
during the week, a courtesy that was not only very greatly enjoyed but 
highly appreciated. 

The contract for the official street decorations was awarded to the firm 
of William Beck & Sons Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio, and they brought to 



The Pee^^y's Victory Centenary 89 

the fulfillment of their agreements the highest sidll known to the art of 
street decorating. TTie three blocks on Main street. Eagle street to Court 
street. Court street to Mohawk street, Mohawk street to Huron street, 
were designated as the Court of Honor, and each side of the street for the 
entire length lined with statues of Commodore Perry and picturesque 
columns, all draped and surmounted with electric balls while festoons of 
colored electric bulbs were swung between the different columns and 
statues. Along Main street and the nearby side streets, through which the 
different parades moved, were placed over the streets, flag decorations and 
for a large portion of the route electric illuminations. The effect especially 
at night was most attractive. 

DEPARTURE OF THE NIAGARA 

The flagship Niagara remained in Buffalo until Saturday afternoon, 
September sixth, when at five o'clock on a beautiful early autumnal day, 
she left her moorings at the dock of the Buffalo Yacht Club, was towed 
out of Buffalo Harbor into the waters of Lake Erie and disappeared in 
the distance just as the sun was setting. During her stay in Buffalo as at 
all other places in the course of her trip around the lakes, she had been 
visited by many thousands of people juid when the hour for her sailing 
came there was still a large assemblage waiting for an inspection of the 
old war vessel and they with another great multitude who had gathered to 
witness the leaving, looked upon her departure with keen regret and bade 
her a fervent " God Speed " on her return trip. The Sixty-fifth Regiment 
band was present and played patriotic and other airs suitable to the occa- 
sion. It may not be uninteresting to recall in this connection that this visit 
of September, 1913, was the second visit of the Niagara to Buffalo. Soon 



90 State of New York 

after the battle of the Thcimes, October 5, 1813, the American army 
under General William Henry Harrison, which had fought and won the 
battle, was ordered to the Niagara frontier for duty and Perry's fleet, 
including the British vessels captured on the tenth of September, was used 
to transport the army from the vicinity of Pul-in-Bay to Buffalo. While 
in Buffalo Commodore Perry, General Harrison, and a large number of 
the army and navy officers were banquetted in a most sumptuous manner, 
October 25 th, at the old and for that day well appointed Pomeroy's 
Tavern. 

The New York Central Lines contributed an exhibit which, while not 
in the exact line of the celebration, proved a very interesting and attractive 
feature. It helped also as much in its way to exemplify the old and the 
new in railroad appliances as did the Niagara in showing the contrast 
between the vessel of 1813 and that of 1913. They placed at their own 
expense at the railroad crossing of Porter Avenue, directly along the path- 
way to the dock of the Niagara, the original New York Central train, 
known as the Dewitt Clinton train, built in 1 83 1 , and by its side one of 
their latest model monster steam locomotives. The contrast was a vivid 
one and the two exhibits, representing the types of the early and the 
present day, were inspected by thousands of people. The Commission is 
indebted to Harry Parry, Esq., General Agent of the New York Central 
Lines at Buffalo, through whose exertions this interesting display was 
featured without cost to the Commission. 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 91 



WORK OF THE WOMEN'S COMMITTEE 

No report of the Perry Victory celebration in Buffalo would be com- 
plete and would be lacking in a very important item if without a resume 
of the splendid work of the Women's Conmiittee, of which Mrs. Esther 
C. Davenport of the Buffalo Evening NeTvs was chairman. The main 
purpose of this committee was to provide for the social entertainment of 
the distinguished visitors who should come to Buffalo during the celebra- 
tion and more especially gentlemen with ladies accompanying them. That 
the committee succeeded in this purpose to the very highest point of 
efficiency was universally acknowledged. A most enjoyable series of 
entertainments was arranged and carried out with appointments complete 
in every particular. Upon the arrival of the Perry flagship Niagara as 
heretofore chronicled, the women of the committee served a breakfast at 
the Buffalo Yacht Club to the officers of the visiting squadron, the Perry 
Victory Commissioners and the Buffalo Reception Committee of which 
the Hon. Edward H. Butler was chairman. Tuesday evening, September 
second, the club house of the Twentieth Century Club, a strong and 
influential ladies' organization, was, by the courtesy of its Board of Di- 
rectors, opened to the committee and their guests and a delightful evening 
was spent amid most pleasant surroundings. On Wednesday afternoon, 
the third, a reception was given by the committee on board of the Niagara 
attended by 1 ,000 guests. TTie proceedings of a public meeting held by 
the committee Wednesday forenoon at the Women's Educational and 
Industrial Union have already been summarized in another part of this 
report. Thursday, September fourth, in the general calendar of the cele- 
bration, was designated as Military Day, one of its great features being 
the parade of United States Infantry, New York National Guard, Naval 



92 State of New York 



Militia, United Spanish War Veterans, etc., starting from Niagara 
Square at ten o'clock A. M. At the conclusion of the parade all commis- 
sioned officers and a large number of other guests were bidden to a buffet 
luncheon served by the ladies in the headquarters building at the United 
States army post. Fort Porter, in Buffalo, the building known as " TTie 
Castle." The usual garrison at this post, a battalion of the Twenty-ninth 
United States Infantry, had been ordered to Fort Niagara for military 
practice and in their absence the battalion commander. Major Monroe 
MacFarland, U. S. A., had placed the Castle at the disposal of the ladies 
for committee meetings and this reception, a courtesy which was greatly 
appreciated. It was elaborately but tastefully decorated and the spacious 
and well kept grounds surrounding added a charm to the scene. About 
six hundred guests attended this luncheon- many of them officers in full 
uniform. The weather was all that could be desired for such an indoor 
and out-of-door function. 

The buffet luncheon at Fort Porter was followed by a reception given 
by Mrs. Harry Hamlin, who opened her beautiful home. No. 1 01 4 Dela- 
ware avenue, for this purpose. This was an unusually large gathering, 
upwards of fifteen hundred guests accepting Mrs. Hamlin's hospitality, 
among whom were many officers in full uniform. It was an ideal func- 
tion, one of its most attractive features being the music of the Sixty-fifth 
Regiment band. Friday forenoon was designated for a trip to the Falls 
in the special car of the International Railway Company, the 
Ondiara, as guests of Mrs. Joseph T. Jones, a well known Buffalo 
lady, and which proved to be, for those who participated, a delightful 
ride. At the Iroquois Hotel, Friday afternoon, September 5th, a fare- 
well reception was given by the Women's Committee and like all its 
functions was complete in its appointments and happy in the surround- 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 93 

ings. Music and some short addresses filled out an informal programme, 
and then came the crowning event, viz. : the presentation of a silver tea 
set — colonial pattern — to the chairman of the committee, Mrs. Esther 
C. Davenport, as a testimonial of the very capable services which all 
recognized as not only a distinct factor in assisting to make the Perry Cen- 
tennial Celebration in Buffalo the marvellous success that it was but that 
under her leadership the women of Buffalo had made a new and higher 
record for cordial hospitality — a hospitality that will not soon be for- 
gotten. 

MEETING OF COLORED PEOPLE 

One of the most interesting gatherings of the week was that of the 
colored people of Buffalo and their invited guests held at Elmwood 
Music Hall, Friday evening, September 5th. It was planned by the 
Men's Club of St. Philip's Episcopal Church and a committee of colored 
men acting under authority from the Buffalo local Perry Victory Com- 
mittee. The officers were Rev. J. W. Livingston, chairman; Alexander 
Parker, vice-chairman; Cornelius Ford, secretary; Mont Tate, assistant 
secretary, and T. D. Payne, treasurer, 

Appropriate music was rendered by the choirs of Vine Street Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church and St. Philip's Episcopal Church. Mr. John 
Sayles, secretary to the Mayor, extended a welcome from the city as the 
representative of Mayor Fuhrmann. A pleasing feature of the programme 
was the presentation of appropriate medals to Mrs. Catharine Seaton, 
Moses Day and C. A. Dickson as representatives and kinspeople of 
Anthony Williams, a colored man who served on the Somers, one of 
Commodore Perry's vessels in the battle of September 10th, 1813. The 
address of the evening was delivered by the Rev. J. Edward Nash, one 



94 State of New York 



of the best known clergymen of his race and pastor of the Michigan 
Avenue Baptist Church of Buffalo. Mr. Nash had for a topic 
" Heroes of Our Race," and spoke as follows: 

Address of Rev. J. Edward Nash 
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Cenilemcn: 

When we take into consideration the fact that more than one hundred Afro- 
Americans took part in the battle of Lake Erie, one hundred years ago, and that 
we have in our midst, in the persons of Mrs. Catharine Seaton and Messrs. Charles 
Dickson and Moses Day near relatives of one of those men, it seems fitting and 
appropriate for us, Afro-Americans, to take some prominent part in this Centennial 
Celebration. 

We feel, first of all, that we should express our gratitude to those who conceived 
the idea of the Afro-Americans having a proper place in this celebration and who 
by their conception have made this gathering here tonight possible. 

I have been asked to speak on " Our Heroes." What I shall say in the brief 
moments allotted me must necessarily be free from particulars, details and 
personalities. 

Heroes depend not so much on what is done as upon the age in which and the 
circumstances under which it is done. One age denounces, censures and condemns; 
another age praises, honors and worships. 

Let us see briefly: 

L How heroes are made — I st, Liberty ; 2nd, Opportunity ; 3rd, Sympathy ; 
4lh, Cooperation. 

n. What are some of the qualities of an hero — 1st, Intelligence; 2nd, 
Loyalty, Patriotism; 3rd, Courage, Bravery. 

in. Some of the fields of activity and service that are most conducive to heroes. 
1st, the field of industry; 2nd, the field of social service; 3rd, the field of religious 
activity. 

Let us always remember the men of our race and of every race who have made 
sacrifices, braved the storms and made the day of peace and prosperity that we enjoy 
possible. 

Hon. Edward H. Butler, chairman of the Citizens' Reception Com- 
mittee for the Perry Celebration in Buffalo, made a short and character- 
istic address in which he expressed the interest he had always felt in the 



The Peeiry's Victory Centenary 95 

colored citizenship, recalling in an enlerteiining way his impressions of 
that citizenship and paying a high tribute to Buffalo's colored population 
as energetic, loycJ citizens that are always a helpful element in the 
community. 

Councilman Charles L. Willert, one of Buffalo's official representa- 
tives on the local Perry Committee, congratulated the colored people 
upon the magnificent success which they had made of this memorable 
gathering. 

Thomas Jones, an attorney of Washington, D. C, in a most delight- 
ful cmd fascinating manner, spoke of the past and the future of the race 
and urged his hearers to pursue their way steadily, earnestly and ener- 
getically, until they had attained the highest degrees of citizenship. 

At the conclusion of the formal programme dancing was indulged in 
and refreshments served. Instrumental music was furnished by the 
65 th Regiment Band. 

VARIOUS MATTERS 

TTie Commission feels that it owes a great debt of gratitude to the 
newspapers of Buffalo, Rochester and many other places, for the zealous 
and unselfish manner in which they, individually and collectively, sup- 
ported the efforts of the Commission. They gave freely of time and 
space in making public the plans for the celebration, in giving publicity 
to the various details in which the public at large would most probably 
be interested and in circulating broadcast any and all items which would 
be likely to attract attention to the enterprise and contribute to its success. 
Their assistance cannot be characterized in words nor can any distinction 
be made between the different papers in the generous help afforded. 



96 State of New York 



The police arramgements at Buffalo, under the supervision of Super- 
intendent Michael Regan, were well ordered and it is a matter of con- 
gratulation that during the entire week of the celebration, not a single 
arrest was made other than for the ordinary misdemeanors which happen 
each week in all large municipalities, not in any way chargeable to the 
extraordinary circumstances of the great celebration. 

Under the provisions of Chapter 190 of the Laws of 1913, the Com- 
mission was authorized at its discretion, to pay to the treasurer general of 
the Interstate Board of the Perry's Victory Centennial Commissioners, to 
be applied on the construction of the Perry Memorial at Put-in-Bay, a 
sum not exceeding $50,000 out of the total amount appropriated by that 
act. In view of the many claims upon the Commission arising out of the 
celebration at Buffalo, the permanent memorial to Commodore Perry in 
Buffalo, office expenses and other legitimate items of expenditure, the 
Commission felt that not more than $30,000 could be safely pledged for 
that purpose. The limitations specified in the act making the appropriation 
were removed by the Legislature of 1915 and this amount paid to Hon. 
A. E. Sisson, treasurer-general of the Interstate Board, August 21 , 1915. 

THE PERRY STATUE 

Having a feeling that this great centennial commemoration ought not 
to be permitted to become a thing of the past — to exist in memory only — 
the Commission at a meeting held June 1 0th, 1 91 3, on motion of the Hon. 
John F. M alone, set aside the sum of $20,000 for the purpose of erecting 
m the city of Buffalo, on some grounds facing Lake Erie, preferably that 
portion of the city park system known as The Front, a statue or other 
suitable memorial to Commodore Perry and in commemoration of the 
great centennial celebration at Buffalo in September, 1913. This propo- 




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The Perry's Victory Centenary 97 



sition when made public met with almost universal approbation. Various 
models were inspected and studied, and after careful consideration the 
design of Mr. Charles Henry Niehaus, the distinguished sculptor of New 
York City, accepted. 

That portion of the park system of the city of Buffalo known as The 
Front was selected for the location of the statue. Here on a most com- 
manding site, overlooking the lake and the head of Niagara river, directly 
facing Fort Erie on the Canadian shore, from whence came the brig 
Caledonia of Perry's Lake Erie fleet, seized by a daring body of 
Americans from under the guns of the fort, October 9, 1812, in a semi- 
circular plaza, fringed by a great hedge through which peer several anti- 
quated pieces of artillery, relics of a past generation, donated by the 
United States government, and from which the green sward slopes rather 
precipitously to the waters flowing at its base, the statue was erected in 
the fall and winter of 1915. 

The statue and the supporting pedestal, the construction of which was 
entrusted to McDonnell & Sons, granite contractors of Buffalo, N. Y., 
are a masterpiece of the sculptors' art, executed entirely in harmony wath 
the beautiful conception. The granite pedestal eight feet four inches 
high, with nautical embellishments including ropes and anchor for orna- 
mentation, carved in low relief on the die, is surmounted by a bronze 
figure of Commodore Perry in full uniform. 

Erect, four square to the winds, grasping his sword in his left hand, his 
feet firmly placed on the deck of the flagship, collar at the neck open, and 
with a look of intense earnestness the commander seems apparently gazing 
at the approach of the enemy's fleet down the lake. The figure is nine 
feet in height and was cast by the John Williams Company of New York 
City. TTie base of the pedestal is circular, fifteen feet three inches in 
7 



98 State of New York 

diameter, surrounded by a walk nine feet four inches wide. The outer 
circular border of the walk is ornamented and protected by ten granite 
posts. 

The front of the pedestal, facing the lake, bears the simple inscription : 

OLIVER HAZARD PERRY 
1785-1819 

On the north and south faces appear the names of the commissioners 
while on the east face is carved the official record : 

ERECTED BY THE STATE OF NEW YORK 1915 
perry's victory CENTENNIAL COMMISSION 

The vivid conception of the American commander in the great naval 
battle of September 10, 1813, the artistic genius shown in the materiaHza- 
tion of this conception, the exceedingly appropriate site used for the loca- 
tion of the statue, the picturesque surroundings and its faultless con- 
struction, all combine to place this work among the highest types of art in 
the United Slates. 

On December 6, 1915, a meeting of the Commission was held at the 
Iroquois Hotel in the city of Buffalo, and after a careful inspection by 
the commissioners, in conjunction with the sculptor, Charles Henry 
Niehaus, the statue was accepted for the State by the Commission. A 
further meeting of the Commission was held at the Hotel Knickerbocker 
in New York City, March 11, 1916, at which plans for its dedication 
were considered. The honor of unveiling the statue was, by a unanimous 
vote, conferred upon Miss Ruth Conners. daughter of the Chairman of 
the Commission. 

Section five of the same act requires that the Commission must sub- 
mit with its report a statement of its disbursements and for what purpose 
expended, and the following is a full statement of all expenditures to the 
first day of October, 1916: 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 99 



FINANCIAL STATEMENT 
May 16, 1913, to October I, 1916 

PERRY'S VICTORY CENTENNIAL COMMISSION 
STATE OF NEW YORK 

Cr. By amount appropriation Chapter 190 of the Laws 
of 1913 $150,000 00 

Dr. To checks State Comptroller: 

May 16. 1913 $10,000 00 

August 29, 1913 20,000 00 

September 9. 1913 40,000 00 

October 29, 1913 10,000 00 

December 27, 1913 5,000 00 

July 8. 1914 7,000 00 

October 13, 1914 7,000 00 

January 25. 1915 1,000 00 

June 4, 1915 1.000 00 

June 21. 1915 1.000 00 

August 21. 1915 30.000 00 

September 4. 1915 1.000 00 

October 5, 1915 2.000 00 

December 13, 1915 10,000 00 

May 1, 1916 1.000 00 

August 7. 1916 1.000 00 

147.000 00 

Unexpended balance appropriation $3,000 00 

Received from Comptroller as above $147,000 00 

Expended as per vouchers filed v^fith State Comptroller 146,351 73 

Balance on deposit Citizens Bank of Buffalo, October 1, 1916. $648 27 

Unexpended balance with State Comptroller. October 1, 1916. 3.000 00 

Total unexpended balance October 1, 1916 $3,648 27 



100 



State of New York 



ElXPENDITURES 

May 16. 1913. to October 1. 1916 

Street decorations 

Official banquet 

Music 

Fireworks 

U. S. S.HaJ»k 

Decorations 

Luncheons, various functions 

Badges (official) 

Advertising, publicity department 

Expenses Commissioners 

Women's Union Buffalo, rent of hall 

Salaries and services 

Daughters of 1812, public meeting 

Military parade 

Buffalo Yacht Club, various items 

Office expenses, including rent 

Printing and stationery 

Postage and transportation 

Charles H. Niehaus, Buffalo Perry Statue 

Motor Boat Club races, prizes 

Yacht Club races, prizes 

Rowing Club races, prizes 

Automobile parade, prizes 

Extra prizes, aviation 

Firemen's parade 

Curtiss Aviator Company 

Balloon ascensions 

Glenn Martin, aviator 

Perry Memorial, Put-in-Bay 



$10,617 00 


4,000 


00 


1.174 


00 


3,245 


50 


4.600 


00 


349 


16 


1.378 


25 


1.079 


26 


2.244 


06 


9.250 


50 


30 


00 


16.890 


63 


209 


10 


11.242 


69 


1.286 


30 


2.810 


48 


1.552 


10 


992 


70 


20.000 


00 


10.000 


00 


1.200 


00 


1.500 


00 


1.000 


00 


200 


00 


3.500 


00 


3.000 


00 


750 


00 


2.250 


00 


30.000 


00 



$146,351 73 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 101 

We have the honor to submit with this report a number of appendices 
containing matter that is of much mterest in connection with the Perry's 
Victory Centenary — a celebration in honor of a great historical 
event — one of the most decisive victories ever won under the Stars and 
Stripes — whose recollection must stir the patriotism in the heart of every 
Americzui citizen and cause him to rejoice that under Divine Providence 
the course of history was turned into channels that made for the upbuilding 
of the Republic and the farther spread of the mighty and everlasting 
principles of freedom and liberty which the fathers in 1 776 established and 
their sons in 1812 cemented. 



Appendices 



103 



APPENDIX A 

THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 

By 

Henry Watterson, 

First Vice-President General of the Interstate Board 

Perry's Victory Centennial G>nunissioners 

Frank H. Severance. 
Secretary of the Buffalo Historical Society 

Hon. George Bancroft 

William V. Taylor. 
Sailing Master, Brig Laurence 



105 



THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 

By Henry Watterson 

First Vice-President General of the Interstate Board 
Perry's Victory Centennial Commissioners 

WHATEVER WE MAY OR MAY NOT BE, we Americans can scarcely 
be called a memorializing people. We seem indeed readier to 
accept the self-assertion of the living than to erect monuments to 
the dead. Long ago Barnum, the showman, discovered that even as the 
average Englishman dearly loves a lord does the average Yankee dearly 
love a humbug. It is to the women of our land that we are indebted for 
the stately shaft in honor of Washington which towers over the National 
Capital, as well as for the ownership of Mount Vernon. Latterly Lincoln 
has been coming to a proper recognition. But when we look for visible 
signs of the saints and sages, the heroes and martyrs of other days, we 
discover that they are few and far between and very hard to find. 

In Europe, go where you will, you may not come upon a village or 
hamlet that boasts not some expression of pious homage and local pride 
in bronze or marble, some " storied urn or animated bust." recalling the 
life and deeds of the great man who was born there, whilst the parks, the 
streets and the public places of the cities and towns are ever3rwhere 
ennobled and beautified by the imagery, inspired by the nomenclature of 
the past, vitalizing history and educating and elevating the people. 

Around the Great Lakes, as we call our inland oceans, with Chicago, 
the world-famous, for an axis, flanked by Milwaukee, the Queen City of 
Wisconsin, and Detroit, the Fairy Goddaughter of Michigan — sailing 
from Duluth to Buffalo — tarrying awhile at Toledo and Sandusky and 

107 



108 State of New York 

Erie — shame upon them ! — we look, with a single exception, in vain 
for some evidence that less than an hundred years ago there lived a man 
named Oliver Hazeu-d Perry, and, save as a fishing resort, that there is, or 
ever was a place called Put-in-Bay. 

All honor to the single exception! In Cleveland, that miracle of 
modern progress, which carries Ohio's challenge to the Great Northwest 
and gives her rivals on either hand a run for their money, we do learn that, 
on the tenth of September, 1813, a battle was fought by Oliver Hazard 
Perry in the waters of Put-in-Bay, which enabled the victor to relate that 
" we have met the enemy and they are ours! " 

Next after John Paul Jones stands Oliver Hazard Perry. Jones 
brought the American Revolution home to England. Perry drove Eng- 
land back behind the barricades of her New France. The fight off 
Sceu-borough Head in the North Sea told the world that if England was 
the mistress of the sea, America was master. TTie fight off Put-in-Bay 
rescued the territory conquered by George Rogers Clark and wiped out 
the disgrace of Hull's surrender. Jones laid the cloth for the French 
alliance. Perry cleared the way for Harrison's advance and shortened the 
distance between Bladensburg and the Treaty of Ghent. But, above all, 
it was Perry, like Jones, who gave the world assurance of a man, of an 
American and of America, the resistless, the unconquerable ; of the flag, 
the glorious, the wonder-breeding; of the Union, the imperishable. Over 
every frontispiece from the Aurora Borealis to the Southern Cross, over 
every temple of liberty and trade, over every arena of manly prowess and 
productive achievement, blazing in letters of living light, as Webster would 
have said, shine forever the letters that spell the words, " We have met 
the enemy and they are ours." 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 109 

It was a marvelous battle, a magical victory. The story reads like a 
page out of the impossible. Truly is there a destiny that governs the vs'orld 
and rules in the lives of men. The young subaltern, rusting and fretful 
in the little Rhode Island seaport; the longed-for call to action and the 
instant answer of the minute men; the sudden apparition of a fleet in the 
harbor of Erie as though some wizard hand had touched the forest and 
commanded its trees of oak and ash to rise and sail the deep ; the thunder 
of the guns carrying Freedom's message of defiance; the havoc, the 
repulse, the running of the gauntlet of fire and blood from ship to ship. 
Let me read you the brief, immortal story. I take it from the graphic 
narrative of John Clark Ridpath. 

The LatVTtnce, Perry's flagship, began to suffer dreadfully under the concen- 
trated fire of the enemy. First one gun and then another was dismounted. The 
masts were broken. The rigging of the vessel was rent away. The sails were 
torn to shreds. Soon she yielded no longer to the wind, but lay helpless on the 
water. 

On the deck death held carnivaL The American sailors lay dead and dying 
on every hand. During the two hours that Perry faced his antagonist his men 
were reduced to a handful. Entering the action the Lawrence had a crew of 
officers and men numbering more than a hundred. Of these, by 2 o'clock in the 
afternoon, eighty-three were either dead or wounded. Still Perry held out. Others 
fell around him, until only the commander and thirteen others were left uninjured. 

Meanwhile all the ships had become engaged — but the Niagara only at long 
range and ineffectively. Elliott, the captain of that vessel, perceiving that resistance 
from the Lawrence had ceased, now sailed ahead believing that Perry had fallen 
and that the command had devolved on himself. It was at this juncture that Perry 
resolved upon that famous exploit which has made his name immortal. He pulled 
dov^ his battle flag, but left the Stars and Stripes still floating! Then with four 
of his remaining seamen, he lowered himself into the boat. He flung his pennant 
and battle flag over his arm and around his person, stepped into the boat, stood 
upright and ordered his men to pull for the Niagara. 



10 State of New York 



That vessel was more than a half-mile distant. It required the oarsmen fully 
fifteen minutes to make the passage. The boat had to pass in full exposure to 
the enemy's guns. The British at once perceived what was doing. As the smoke 
cleared from around the hull of the Lawrence they saw the daring act of the com- 
mander, transferring his flag from one ship to another. His own vessel was 
shattered to death ; but there was the Niagara, hale and strong. Should he succeed 
in making her deck, the battle would be to fight over again. Victory or defeat was 
turning on the issue. 

The British guns opened on the little boat. Discharge after discharge followed. 
Some of the shot struck the frail cockle, and the splinters flew; but the men were 
unhurt. Perry continued to stand up as a target until the faithful seamen refused 
to pull unless he would sink down to a position of greater safety. The shot from 
the enemy's guns knocked the water into spray around them, but the boat reached 
the Niagara in safety, and Perry was taken up. A moment more, and his battle 
flag was flying above the unhurt ship! 

May every schoolboy and every schoolgirl in the land read the rest of 
it; how, his foot upon the deck of the Niagara, his battle flag again flying 
at the fore. Perry swooped like a hurricane down upon the enemy's line; 
cut the British fleet in two, right in the middle, three vessels on the right, 
three upon the left ; broadside after broadside on either hand ; death and 
destruction in his resistless wake. TTiirty minutes and all is over. The 
brave English commander. Barclay, hors de combat. His second in 
command, Finnis, killed outright. Human nature could hold out no 
longer. Down comes the British flag. We had met the enemy and 
they were ours, " two ships, two brigs, one schooner and one sloop," said 
Perry in his report to Harrison, written upon the back of an old letter, 
his hat for a desk. 

The victor (again I quote from Ridpath) did not in the elation of 
his triumph forget the situation around him. He caused himself to be 
transferred from the still unhurt Niagara back to the bloody deck of the 



(D 



Chippewa Detroit Hunte 



,V 






~& ^ya 4ii 



Llltte Belt 



Commanders of British Vessels 



Dii-ettioit of Movement 



.■j 'j Flaiithip of 
■ '"^ Copt. I'errtJ 




Scorpion ^j|^,| Cadence 



Scorpion /^,ig| Lawrence ,i. - 

Cal eiJciftTa 

Tht action btyi" "' J-^ I'linittca 
bvfoir rj. Iht Deti.iil oflln- Urtti^h 
Squaih'On Jiriiiy thf Jir^l slml at the 
L<( (finite. 



Chippewa. Master Mate J. Campbell 

(Mf ri,i|.,.enuY SB llrilishc'e '0 

Detroit. Captain Robert Heriot Barclay 
Hunter, Lt. George Bignall ^. ■ 

Queen Charlotte. Acting Com. Robert Finnis 
Ladv Prevost, Lt. Edward Wise Buchan 
Little Belt, Lt. Provine 




-^C^u,- 



Porcopine 



Tigress 



The two Squadrons just before Batt le 



Trippe 



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Chippewa Deuo.l ^Queen^ ^^^^^^ 



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Little E 



First Position in the Action 




Commanders of American Vessels 

Scorpion, Sailing Master Stephen Chaniplin 
Ariel. Lt. John H. I'aoket 
Lawrence, Capt. Oliver Hazard Perry 
Caledonia. Lt. Daniel Turner 

(taken frt.m Hrilish Uy F.lln.lt) 

Niai?ara, Capt. Jesse D. Elliott 
Somers, Sailing Master Thomas C. Almy 

(formerly tbe 'K:atl.*rine" ) 

Porcupine, Midshipman George Senat 
Tigress, Lt. Augustus H. M. Conckhn 
Trippe, Lt. Thos. Holdup Stevens 
(furinerlj the '■tontrnotur ') 



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Tigress 



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Trippe 



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LaJy ? 
Prevosli 



iL \Ariel '> s Trippe 

Scorpion • . •' \ '^^^ ~-*~^ 

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Chippewa Swl 
Laily P^evost^l 




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Sco.pion Del'"'*.' - **^ "^ 

-sL_ "— -J- Trippe 



^Soi 



Second Position in Ihe Action 




Position aldose of Battle 



Courtesy of The Unitird SUtes Hist.iry «. 



From Av<.-ry's History of liiu Unitt-il States an.l its People 

BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
(September 10th 1S13) 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 111 

Laivrence. There, and not in some other place, would he receive the 
surrender of the enemy. The British officers as they came up to present 
their swords had to pick their way through dead and dying, slipping in 
pools of blood as they came. Perry bade his antagonists retain their 
swords, his the chivalry of one to whom the fortunes of war had given the 
power, but not the right, to humiliate a fallen foe. 

In the silence of the following night the dead sailors, British and 
American, were consigned to their last rest in the clear waters of Lake 
Erie. The next day Perry brought back to Put-in-Bay his own and the 
captured fleet. Sailing into the harbor, the dead officers of both com- 
mands were buried on the shore. TTie losses had been very great. On 
the American side twenty-seven were killed and ninety-six wounded — 
this out of a force of but little over four hundred effective men. The 
loss of the British was forty-one killed and ninety-four wounded, the 
gallant Captain Barclay, who had already lost an arm, having the mis- 
fortune to lose the other. 

Great was the fame of the battle and of him who won it. It was the 
first time in history that an entire British fleet, large or small, had been 
taken in any open, equal conflict. Lake Erie was cleared. The way 
for Harrison and his braves, for Shelby and his hunting shirts, was 
opened, and forever and ever the Great Northwest, rid of invaders, was 
redeemed. 

A hundred years have come and gone — a hundred years of peace 
between the two nations of Anglo-Saxon and Scotch-Irish blood and 
tongue — and we are about to celebrate with fitting rites the heaven- 
blessed consummation. No wounds survive the Wars of the Revolu- 
tion or of 1812. Each party to the strife showed itself valiant. Each 
carried its trophies from the field, each has nursed its glories, not its 



112 State of New York 

griefs. Blood is thicker than water. On the 10th of September, 1913. 
we shall do honor alike to Barclay and to Perry. Thenceforward until 
the end of 191 4, the centenary of the Treaty of Ghent, the jubilation will 
proceed, mutual and unabated. 

Henry Watterson 

Louisville. Ky., July, 1912. 

(From the Souvenir Programme, Interstate Board, Perry's Victory Centennial 
Commissioners.) 




EDWARD P. MURPHY' 

Assistant Chief, Buffalo Fire Department, Grand Marsha!, 

Firemen's Parade, Perry's Victory Centenary 




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The Perry's Victory Centenary 1 1 3 



THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 

By Frank H. Severance 
Secretary Buffalo Historical Society 

" With half the western world at stake. 
See Perry on the Midland Lake." 

CAESAR WROTE (but no man knows how he pronounced it) , " Veni, 
Vidi, Vici," which meant trouble for college freshmen ever after. 
Lawrence said : " Don't give up the ship ! " These dying 
words were the inspiration of Perry, who fought and won, and reported 
" We have met the enemy and they are ours." 

Caesarian brevity becomes men of great deeds, but has never been 
popular with writers and speech makers. 

TTie best account of Perry's victory I know of is the one Perry made 
to the Secretary of Navy. Any of us can write a longer one, wath more 
details, but it will be no improvement on that first report. Perry, with 
that fine modesty which has become traditional in our navy, had a habit 
of saying nothing about himself. To-day, we seek to know all we can 
about him. He has been a national hero for one hundred years, and 
stands the test better than most. 

What the Celebration Means 
I am going to take it for granted that the reader of this page knows, m 
general, what this Perry celebration is all about. To be very brief, it's 
just because one hundred years ago Perry was sent to Lake Erie by the 
Navy Department of the United States to build a fleet of vessels and 
fight the British and " lick 'em," if he could, and, as it turned out. on 
September 1 0th, one hundred years ago, he could and did, with highly 
momentous results in the history of the United States. 



14 State of New York 



Perhaps some reader can explain why we celebrate the one hundredth 
anniversary of great events any more than the ninety-eighth or fifty- 
seventh or any other date. Neither nature nor the course of human events 
is particularly ordered on the decimal system, and there's no magic or 
significance in centenaries. But we certainly have the centenary habit. 

Really, the year of a celebration doesn't much matter. But it matters 
very much to a people that they now and then do things to impress the 
younger generations and themselves with the significance of what has 
gone before. "Among the noblest of a nation's possessions is the memory 
of her great men." 

Oliver Hazard Perry, Rhode Island born, was still a very young 
man — twenty-seven — but with a practical experience in naval service, 
when, in February, 1813, he was ordered to report to Commodore 
Chauncey at Sackett's Harbor. Chauncey was supreme in command of 
naval operations on the lakes — a fact which on more than one occasion 
hampered Perry a great deal. But there is no record that he ever showed 
any resentment towards his superior officer. He was too good a com- 
mander himself for that. 

On March 16th Perry was ordered to go to Erie and hasten the work 
on the squadron then in process of construction there. When we say, 
to-day, that Perry built the ships that won the battle of Lake Erie, we 
do injustice, in a measure, to the very capable men who had more to do 
with it in a practical way, than Perry had. But he was in command, on 
Lake Erie, and the actual builders — especially Daniel Dobbins and 
Noah Brown and Henry Eckford — merge their glory with his greater 
renown. 

Perry first reached Buffalo March 24th. He went down to the old 
shipyard at the mouth of Scajaquada Creek, then under the command 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 1 1 5 



of Lieutenant Pettigrew, noted the state of work there, made arrange- 
ments to have stores forwarded to Erie, and on the 26th set out in a sleigh 
for Erie, making a good part of the journey on the ice. 

Perry's Fleet 

The operations at the old shipyard on the Scajaquada, which form a 
part of the story of Perry, were briefly as follows: Five small vessels 
were built, or rebuilt, and fitted out there, to form a part of the squadron 
building at Erie. The five were: The brig Ca/e Jon/a, which had been 
captured from the British by Lieutenant Jesse D. Elliott and a party of 
bold men from Buffalo, October 9, 1812. Elliott was later appointed 
second in command of the Lake Erie squadron under Perry, and was in 
command of the Niagara in the great battle. At Black Rock the 
Caledonia was fitted out with two long twenty-fours and one twelve- 
pounder. The schooner Somers (formerly the Catherine), had for 
armament two long eigh teen-pounders. The sloop Trippe (formerly 
the Contractor) , had one twenty-four-pounder. The schooner Ohio had 
one twenty- f our-pounder ; and so did the schooner Amelia. There was 
no gun as heavy as a thirty-two-pounder on any of these five little craft, 
which were Buffalo's contribution to the most famous exploit in the 
history of the Great Lakes. 

Perry makes Report 

History and the size of heroes depend on the point of view. We are 
now putting the limelight on Perry. About one hundred years ago 
Commodore Chauncey reported progress hereabouts, seeing himself, no 
doubt, as the prime mover. Here is an extract of an official report which 
he dated: " U. S. ship Madison, Niagara river, 29th May, 1813," 



16 State of New York 



addressing it to the Hon. William Jones, Secretary of the Navy, 
Washington: 

Sir. — Deeming the command of Lake Erie of primary importance, I dis- 
patched Captain Perry yesterday with fifty-five seamen to Black Rock, to take the 
five vessels there, to Erie as soon as possible, and to prepare the whole squadron 
for service by the 1 5 th of June. General Dearborn has promised me two hundred 
soldiers to put on board of the vessels at Black Rock, to assist in protecting them to 
Erie. Mr. Eckford has with uncommon exertions prepared these vessels for service 
since the capture of York, and I think that Captain Perry will be ready to pro- 
ceed for Presque Isle about the 3d or 4th of June. The two brigs building at Erie 
have been launched. 

The Madison, on board of which this was written, was in the Niagara 
river at Fort Niagara ; her service was on Lake Ontario. The " York 
spoken of is the Toronto of to-day. 

On May 27th. Fort George, opposite Fort Niagara, fell. The part 
Commodore Perry bore in this affair is amply recorded in history and 
need not be detailed here. One writer has said it was " the first twig of 
the cluster of laurels so soon to adorn his brow." 

The day following. Perry came up to Schlosser, above the Falls, as 
did a large detachment of men and officers, most of whom took boats 
there for Black Rock, which they reached on the 29th. Perry, who 
came up by land, was so impressed by the evident fact that the enemy 
had for the time being practically evacuated the frontier at the south of 
the Falls, that he felt the hour had come to get his vessels out of 
Scajaquada creek and up to Erie. The British had watched the old 
Black Rock shipyard as a cat watches a mouse hole, but now the cat 
being called away, was the moment for the mouse to jump. That 
" moment " proved to be just fourteen days long. 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 1 1 7 



Henry Eckford 

It was Henry Eckford who had converted these Httle trading craft 
into war vessels. Up to the last moment the guns which they were to 
carry were kept ready for use on the shore batteries near the mouth of the 
Scajaquada — or as they used to spell it a century ago, the Conjockely 
or Conjaquades creek. [Some time when I have nothing better to do, 
I am going to compile a list of the various spellings of this stream. No 
one who hasn't dug into these old matters has any idea of the amazing 
variety of spellings used to designate this more or less inoffensive water- 
way.] But now, orders were given to dismount the guns and mount 
them on the vessels. Ordnance and stores were on boau-d by June 6th, 
when the work of tracking them up the " little " rapids commenced. 

TTie reader will bear in mind that there were then no lighthouses or 
channel markers. There was no canal and no harbor work. The big, 
flat outcrop of rock above the present Ferry street that gave name to 
Black Rock, made a natural wharf; Bird island and Squaw island were 
there, and so was the Devil's Half Acre, though not known to have been 
so named at that early day. But there were reefs and rocks and an 
eight-mile current; and it all spelled a good hard job. This was half a 
dozen years before steam was to be used against all these difficulties; and 
when the wind did not serve — and it was usually contrary — the motive 
power was sheer muscle of men and oxen. 

Vessels had been tracked up the Niagara before now, and there were 
plenty of men who knew how to go at it. There was Captain Henry B. 
Brevoort, who had navigated the lakes for some years in command of 
the brig Adams; and there was Captain Younge, also capable and 
experienced. Two hundred soldiers and all the sailors and ox-teams 
the region could supply were put under their command. History makes 



State of New York 



no mention of the heavy drafts that were made on whisky and the English 
language. Imagination can supply the lack. What we do know is, 
that, unassisted by the wind, the last of these live vessels was got up out 
of the rapids and anchored in the lake, on the morning of June 1 3th. 

The Perry Signals 

The Buffalo Historical Society preserves the original code of signals 
adopted for this squadron, and the order of Sciiling, dated " Buffalo, 
June 12, 1813," and signed " O. H. Perry." In sailing abreast, the 
order was to be (left to right), the Somers, Amelia, Caledonia, Ohio, 
and Trippe. the Caledonia being the flagship. In sailing ahead, the 
Trippe was to lead, the Somers was last, the flagship being number three 
in the line. 

TTiey SEiiled on the evening of the 13 th for Erie, but a heavy head 
wind drove them back into anchorage off Buffalo. On the evening of 
the 1 4th, they sailed again, steering for the south shore, and exercising 
all possible vigilance, for they knew the British were on the lookout for 
them. The British then had in commission on Lake Erie the Queen 
Charlotte, seventeen guns; the Ladyi Prevost, thirteen guns; the Hunter, 
ten guns; Little Bell, three guns, and Chippewa, one gun. If they had 
intercepted these five craft from Buffalo the probabilities are they would 
have sunk or captured them, and British control of the lakes would have 
been much prolonged. In fact, the whole course of events would have 
been different. It's a big If; but it didn't happen. Near Dunkirk. 
Perry anchored as close in shore as possible, having learned that the 
enemy had been at anchor the night before off Twenty-mile creek, 
between Erie and Dunkirk. But good luck was with Perry, and on 
June 1 9th he sailed his little squadron into the harbor of Erie. 



The Peeuiy's Victory Centenary 119 



The Fleet at Erie 

Now, what had they been doing at Erie, up to that time? Perry first 
reached there March 27, 1813, but weeks before that the building of a 
fleet had begun, under Master Builder Noah Brown and Sailing Master 
Daniel Dobbins. 

They lacked both material and men, but before Perry arrived they had 
got three fifty-ton gunboats well under way and considerable timber cut 
for two sloops of war. 

Perry made headquarters at the Buehler house, corner of Third and 
French streets, and took hold of the work in earnest. It was a fine big 
proposition for a young fellow — to build a fleet from the stump up and 
go out and whip the Mistress of the Seas; but Perry showed from the 
start that he was equal to the job. What did it mean — you easy-going 
youth of to-day! — to build a fleet in the wilderness? The white oak 
and chestnut and pine that he needed were still growing; the iron was in 
the ore; the hemp was in the Kentucky fields; the pitch was in the 
Pennsylvania pines; the sails, as yet unmade, were no nearer than 
Philadelphia; the cannon, at the best, were in the Government foundry 
at Washington. Wilderness roads, rough with stumps or deep with mud, 
lack of wagons and horses and tccimsters and money — it wasn't exactly 
a white-duck-and-gold-braid yachting affair, was it? 

And yet six months, March to the end of August, did the trick. 

Perry's first concern was to fortify Erie, for he feared the British would 
drop in some evening and take the town off the map. Then he ransacked 
the country for carpenters, blacksmiths, seamen. He traveled back and 
forth through the woods to Pittsburgh and presently he had that town and 
Philadelphia busy making canvas, cables and anchors. He gathered 
muskets and men who could use them, but really the thing that saved the 



120 State of New York 



day was " that wonderful implement, the axe." It ought to be on our 
national escutcheon, if there is such a thing. 

More Boats at Erie 

The first vessels were built on the beach at the mouth of Lee's Run. 
There is more gas works than Run on the beach there to-day ; but it was 
thought best to build the two larger vessels and one other further up the 
bay, and they were framed at the mouth of Cascade creek. The spot 
to-day is at the foot of Cascade street. 

Hard as it was to get the material, it was still harder to get the guns. 
One of the finest and most efficient bits of work in the whole enterprise 
was the achievement of Daniel Dobbins, who transported heavy cannon 
from Black Rock to Erie. By the first of August the fleet was ready to 
fight. The vessels were rough-built of necessity. As Noah Brown said 
to a workman who was over-nice in finishing his job: "We want no 
extras — plain work is enough. The vessels will only be wanted for one 
battle. If we win that's all we want of them, and if the enemy win, the 
work is good enough to be captured." But, rough as they were, they 
had good lines, were seaworthy and sound. 

In those days the outlet of the bay at Erie was blocked by a bar, and 
to get the larger craft over, resort was had to the use of long-decked 
scows, called camels, which were placed on either side of the vessel and 
made fast to it with lashed timbers. They were filled with water, then 
the valves were closed and the water pumped out. Thus the vessels 
were lifted over into deep water. 

The two largest brigs, exactly alike, were one hundred and ten feet 
between perpendiculars, one hundred feet straight rabbet, thirty feet beam 
and nine feet hold. One of them, launched June 20th, was narned the 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 121 



Lawrence, in memory of Captain James Lawrence, who fell mortally 
wounded while in command of the U. S. frigate Chesapeake, in her 
disastrous fight with the British Shannon; and Perry made her his flagship 
and adopted Lawrence's last words, " Don't give up the ship," as a 
motto for his fighting-flag. The women of Erie, organized and directed 
by Mrs. Margaret Foster Stewart, made the flag, the work being done in 
Thomas Stewart's log house on Fourth street, between French and 
Holland. 

Among those who sewed on that flag were Dorcas Bell, wife of 
Captain William Bell, his two daughters, and the three daughters of 
Captain TTiomas Foster. There was some fine, effective courting going 
on, as the girls stitched; every one of them married a young naval officer; 
" thus laying the foundation," says Mr. John Miller, Erie's able historian, 
" of Erie's reputation, justly earned as proved by subsequent events, of 
being the mother-in-law of the American Navy." 

A Historic Flag 

That flag is one of America's most famous bits of bunting. It floated 
over the Lake Erie fleet, on the Lawrence until that ship was a helpless 
wreck. TTien Perry carried it to the sister ship, the Niagara, where it 
floated at the main truck until the British fleet surrendered. In recent 
years it has been preserved in the museum of the Naval Academy at 
Annapolis. A replica of it is in the public library at Erie. 

The second brig, the Niagara, was launched on July 4th. Not the 
least of Perry's troubles was the lack of crews. Up to June 25th about 
one hundred and fifty men, mostly Rhode Islanders, had been sent on 
from Sackett's Harbor. The two hundred soldiers who had gone up 
to Erie with the vessels from Black Rock were recalled. Perry expected 



122 State of New York 



some four hundred men from Buffalo, but two boat expeditions in July 
secured him only sixty-five men at one time and seventy-five at another. 
All this time he was watching the enemy. General Harrison reported 
that the British had their new ship, the Detroit, ready to launch, man and 
fight. If Perry could have had an independent command on Lake Erie, 
instead of being under the orders of Chauncey, and at the mercy of a 
Navy Department that knew little of local conditions, he could have 
captured the British fleet before it was strengthened by the Detroit. 
But he was resourceful, and made the best of a bad situation. He 
opened a recruiting station at Erie, and sent Lieutenant John Brooks to 
Pittsburgh to recruit men there. Between them they gathered three 
hundred, part Kentuckians and backwoodsmen from Western Pennsyl- 
vania, and quite a number of negroes. They all proved good fighters. 

Fleet Under Way 

On Sunday, August 1 , he got under way in the bay. Nearly a week 
was occupied in getting over the bar, and shipping arms, stores and men. 
but by August 6 the fleet was in the open lake, ready for battle. 

There was the flagship Laxvrence, Commodore Perry; the Niagara, 
Lieutenant Daniel Turner; Caledonia, Purser Humphrey Magrath; 
Ariel, Acting Lieutenant John Packet; Scorpion, Sailing Master 
Stephen Champlin; Somers, Sailing Master Thomas C. Almy; Tigress, 
Master's Mate J. E. McDonald; Porcupine, Midshipman George Senat 
The Ohio and Trippe were left behind for want of crews. The Amelia 
had proved unseaworthy and was laid up at Erie. 

On August 1 0th Lieutenant Jesse D. Elliott joined the fleet with some 
officers and ninety seamen, when Elliott was given command of the 
Niagara; and by and by commissions arrived by the usual roundabout 



English Squadron 

Detroit, 19 guns: 2 long 24's; 1 long IS on 

pivot; 6 long 12's; S long y's; 1 24 car- 

ronade; 1 18 carronade 
Charlotte, 17 guns: 1 long 12 on pivot; 2 long 

y's; 1-124 carronades 
Ladv Prevost, 13 guns: 1 long 9 on pivot; 2 

longC's; 10 12carronades 
Hunter. 10 guns: 4lonK(.i's; 2 long 4"s; 2 long 

2's; 2 12 carronailfs 
Little Belt, 3 guns: 1 long 12 on pivot; 2 long 




UourtL-sy of Thu United StatL'3 History Co. 



From Avery't* History of tht United States and its People 

BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
{September 10th lsl3. Approaches and Location) 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 123 

way of Lake Ontario, raising Messrs. Holdup, Packet, Yarnall, 
Edwards and Conkling to the rank of Lieutenant. Holdup was given 
command of the Trippe and Turner of the Caledonia. 

A month of cruising followed full of interesting event, over which we 
cannot linger. TTiere was a further reinforcement from Harrison's 
army of some fifty Kentucky volunteers, bringing the muster roll up to 
four hundred and ninety. 

Roosevelt Compares Armament 

The 10th of September found the two fleets at the western end of 
the lake. Perry with nine vessels, Barclay, the British commander, with 
six, the new Detroit being his flagship. There is great disagreement 
among writers, and even in the official reports, as to the strength of the 
two squadrons. The early writers on both sides were very partisan. 
Theodore Roosevelt, in his *' Naval War of 1812," studied the matter 
at great length and in an obviously impartial spirit. He finds that 
Perry's nine vessels had a total tonnage of 1,671, with fifty-four guns 
capable of a broadside of nine hundred and thirty-six pounds. Barclay's 
six vessels had a tonnage of 1 ,460 with sixty-three guns throwing four 
hundred and fifty-nine pounds at a broadside. The British had no guns 
heavier than twenty-four-pounders, but they had seventeen of that weight. 
TTie Americans had forty-two thirty-two-pounders, long and short. All 
sorts of figures are given as to the crews, but the authority just cited finds 
that the British went into action with four hundred and forty men, the 
Americans with four hundred and sixteen, the rest of their total enroll- 
ment of five hundred and thirty-three being sick. 

After all, these comparisons do not appear very vital, for in actual 
fighting ability the two fleets were nearly equal, and as the engagement 
developed the smaller vessels on each side had little to do with the result. 



124 State of New York 



How can I put in a few lines a story which the historians have written 
volumes about and the romancers yet other volumes, for Perry is a 
character that appeals to the story-teller and some of our " best books 
for boys " (a good book for boys being good reading for anybody) tell 
with a delightful mingling of fact and fiction, the story of that wonderful 
September day. 

Whoever knows our lake in early autumn knows how serene and still 
it sometimes lies under the haze of sunny skies. The 1 0th of September, 
1813, was such a day. The breeze was light and fickle. From the 
masthead of the LalVTence the enemy were sighted to the northwest from 
Put-in-Bay. The fleet sailed, much time being consumed in weathering 
Rattlesnake Island. Later the wind shifted and at about 1 1 .45 o'clock 
Perry's line had come within striking distance from the enemy, about 
five miles north by west from North Bass Island. The Lawrence led; 
the Trippe, a dull sailer, lagged two miles astern. The first shot was 
thrown at the Lawrence from the Detroit. The first American shot was 
fired from the Scorpion by Stephen ChampHn, and, as it chanced, he 
also fired the last shot of the battle. His family have been prominent 
in Buffalo to this day. 

Single Ship Fighting 

We call this battle of Lake Erie an engagement of two fleets, but for 
the most part it was single ship fighting. On our side the Lawrence 
bore the brunt of it with some help from the Scorpion, the Caledonia and 
the Ariel. In two hours the Lawrence had every gun dismounted, two- 
thirds of her crew killed or wounded, and was so cut up as to be 
unmanageable. Then it was that Perry took his fighting flag " Don't 
give up the ship," was rowed in a small boat to the Niagara, which up 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 125 



to this time had practically been out of action, brought her up to the line 
and engaged the Detroit. The Queen Charlotte, bearing up to pass to 
leeward, fell foul of the Detroit and while they were in this predicament 
the Niagara bore up, pouring her starboard broadside into them, and her 
port broadside into the Lady Prevost. Fifteen minutes brought an officer 
to the rail of the Queers Charlotte waving a white handkerchief fastened 
to a boarding pike. It was the sign of submission. 

TTie British had struck. 

For the first time in history, an entire British squadron had surrendered 
to the enemy. 

TTie killed and wounded of Perry's squadron were as follows: 

Vessel Killed Wounded Total 

Lawrence 22 61 83 

Niagara 2 25 27 

Caledonia 3 3 

Somers 2 2 

Ariel 1 3 4 

Trippe 2 2 

Scorpion 2 2 

27 96 123 



Nobody was killed or wounded on the Tigress or the Porcupine, 
although these vessels, according to the reports, bore a lively part in the 
battle. Judged by the figures it was Perry, first in the Lawrence and 
then in the Niagara, who did the real fighting. The total loss of life in 
this great battle of Lake Erie was less than we get nowadays almost 
every morning, in some factory fire, railroad, steamboat or trolley 
catastrophe. Yet it was a great battle, none the less, for we judge of 
the greatness of a battle, not so much by the human butchery as by the 



126 State of New York 



results accomplished. Harrison, helped by Perry, won the battle of 
the Thames and the West was regained for the Americans. 

The British Losses 

The British loss appears to have been forty-one killed and ninety-four 
wounded, including Barclay, who received two severe wounds. Friend 
and foe were buried at Put-in-Bay. Prisoners were brought east and 
the fleet again made its way to the rendezvous in the bay at Erie. 



Perry Reaches Buffalo 

Perry reached Buffalo on his way east October 24th and the next day 
a dinner was given him at Pomeroy's tavern, the site of which is now 
covered by the Marine Bank building. Albany gave him a great 
reception as did other places, but the climax was reached at his home in 
Newport. Little Rhody has always claimed the battle of Lake Erie 
as her own peu^ticular achievement. 

Before Perry reached the East, celebrations were being held in New 
York City and things were done as elaborately as possible. It would 
be vastly amusing now to see the big city duplicate this demonstration of 
Saturday, October 23, 1813. A few sentences from the Mercury of 
the next Tuesday are worth reading: 

On Saturday evening from seven o'clock until ten, agreeably to a resolve of 
the corporation of this city, the new City Hall was brilliantly illuminated in honor 
of the late splendid achievements of Commodore Perry on Lake Erie, and General 
Harrison in Canada. 

Tammany, Washington and Mechanics' Halls, the Theater, the City Hall and 
houses of hundreds of our citizens followed the example of the corporation, and 
emulated each other in testimonials of patriotism and gratitude. 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 127 



The appearance of the City Hall was beautiful and sublime. Many of the 
windows exhibited very appropriate and elegant transparencies, representing the two 
hostile fleets on Lake Erie; the dying exclamation of the gallant Lawrence, " Don't 
give up the ship " in large letters and a number of others. A full band of music 
was placed in the gallery of the portico and the minds of the spectators were agree- 
ably diverted with the popular airs peculiar to our country. 

In front of Tammany Hall was a most superb painting exhibiting a full length 
likeness of General Harrison, and the figures of several Indian warriors, of whom 
the chief was on his knees before the general suing for peace, offering at the same 
time a squaw with a papoose on her back as hostages for their fidelity. It also 
represented the two hostile fleets, with the brave Perry in the act of going in his 
boat from the LaXSTence to the Niagara. 

The Theater was also brilliantly illuminated and was decorated with several 
transparencies suited to the joyful occasion; amongst them the expressive sentence 
" We have met the enemy and they are ours." 

V n* V "It 

Oliver Hazard Perry died of yellow fever while on naval duty on 
shipboard off Trinidad in August, 1819. He was buried at Port of 
Spain, but in 1826 his remains were brought to Newport. There and 
at Cleveland, Ohio, are monuments to his memory. A Perry monu- 
ment to cost $75,000 was projected for Buffalo in 1836. The design 
was accepted and the site chosen. It was to stand at what is now 
Shelton Square, but the undertaking was not consummated. Another 
monument project is now afoot. May it not fall through, for Perry is 
a character worthy of such a memorial and it is peculiarly fitting that 
Buffalo should pay honor to his memory. 

Captain W. Dobbins once wrote : " Commodore Perry had nearly 
as great a dread of a cow as he would have had of a lion; and I have 
it from those who knew of the fact, that he would cross a road or street 
through mud to avoid one. Yet he would face the cannon's mouth and 
fight his ship as long as there was a gun left and a man to work it." 



Written for the Buffalo Sunday News and published August 24, 1913. 



128 State of New York 



THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 
By George Bancroft 

IN THE LAST WEEKS OF 1812, Oliver Hazard Perry, a lieutenant in 
the United States Navy, then tw^enty-seven years of age, despairing of 

a sea-going vessel, sent to the Secretary of the Navy " a tender of his 
services for the Lakes." Tired of inactivity, he was quickened by the 
fcime which men even younger than himself had just gained on the ocean. 
At that time he held the command of a flotilla of gunboats, in the 
harbor of Newport; "possessing an ardent desire to meet the enemies 
of his coimlry," and hoping one day to lead to battle the able and brave 
men who were at that time under his orders, he took " unwearied pains 
to prep2u-e diem for such em event," training them to the use of small 
arms, the exercise of the great guns, and every warlike service on 
ship-board. 

The authority of Commodore Chauncey, who took charge in person 
of the operations on Lake Ontario, extended to all the upper lakes. He 
received Perry's application with delight, and accepted it with alacrity. 
" You," thus the veteran wrote to the impatient young man, " you are 
the very person that I want, for a service in which you may gain 
a reputation for yourself, and honor for your country." " The situation 
will suit you exactly," wrote the friend, who from Washington 
announced to him that he was ordered on duty to Lake Erie ; " you may 
expect warm fighting and a portion of honor.' 

His sweet disposition, cheerfulness and modest courage, his intuitive 
good judgment and quickness of will, had endeared him to his subor- 
dinates; and one hundred and forty-six of them, officers, men and boys, 
for the most part, like himself, natives of Rhode Island, volunteered to 
go with him, in the dead of winter, on the unknown service. 










MRS. ESTHER C. DAVENPORT 

Chairman, Women's Committee, Perry's Victory Centennial Celebration, 

Buffalo, N. \. 




COHfllSSIORERS 

fiOflJOHF F, MALOKE 

HOILMAPTIH H^Gm-Hx^ 

HOir ROBERT R WAGKER 

HOIL SIMON L, A DEER 
HOfl \X/f LEfAM L. OPMROD 
HOflED^)MRD D. JAGKSOH^ 











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SOUTH FACE. PERRY STATUE, BUFFALO, N. Y. 





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NORTH FACE. PERRY STATUE, BUFFALO, N. Y. 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 129 



Receiving his orders on the 1 7th of February, 1813, on that very day 
he sent forward one-third of the volunteers, under Sailing Master Almy, 
as many more on the 19th, under Sailing Master Champlin. the rest on 
the 21st, under Sailing Master Taylor, and on the 22d, delivering over 
his command in Newport, he began his journey across the country, took 
with him. from his father's house, his brother Alexander, a boy of twelve, 
met Chauncey at Albany, and pursuing his way in part through the 
wilderness, he arrived, on the 3d of March, at Sackett's Harbor. The 
command on Lake Ontario was important, and to its chief officer was 
paramount. In consequence of a prevailing rumor of an intended attack 
by the British, on that station, to destroy the squadron, and the vessels 
on the stocks, Chauncey detained Perry, and all his old companions, for 
a fortnight, and one-third of those companions he never let go from his 
own ships on Lake Ontario. 

Not till the 16th of March was Perry permitted to leave Sackett's 
Harbor. On the 24th he reached Buffalo. The next day was given 
to an inspection of the navy-yard at Black Rock. On the 26th Perry 
set out in a sleigh over the frozen lake, and on the following afternoon 
he reached the harbor of Erie. There he found that the keels of two 
brigs had been laid, and four gunboats nearly finished by New York 
mechanics, under the direction of Noah Brown, as master shipwright; 
but no precautions for defense had been taken; not a musket was 
employed to guard against a sudden attack of the enemy; nor had the 
ice been used for the transportation of cannon from Buffalo. The 
supervising power of the young commander was at once exerted. Before 
night he organized a guard out of the villagers of Erie, ordered Sailing 
Master Dobbins to repair to Buffalo, to bring up forty seamen, muskets, 
powder, and, if possible, cannon; and wrote to the navy agent at 



9 



130 State of New York 

Pittsburgh to hasten the movement of a party of shipwrights, on their 
way from Philadelphia. 

The country expected Perry to change the whole course of the war in 
the West, by obtaining the command of the water, which the British as 
yet possessed without dispute. The want of that supremacy had lost 
Hull and Winchester, and their forces, had left to the British Detroit 
and Michillimacinac, and the North-west, and still impeded all the 
purposes of Harrison. The route from Dayton, in Ohio, to the lake, 
was so difficult that the line of road through the forest and prairies could 
be traced by the wrecks of wagons, clinging with tenacity to the rich miry 
soil ; while the difficulties of transportation by land, along the lake shore, 
were insurmountable. Yet, to create a superior naval force on Lake 
Erie, it was necessary to bring sails, cordage, cannon, powder, military 
stores, from a distance of five hundred miles, through a region of which 
a considerable part was uninhabited. 

Under the cheering influence of Perry, the work proceeded with 
harmonious diligence. He was the central point of confidence, for he 
turned everything to account. The white and black oak, and the 
chestnut of the neighboring woods, often cut down on the day on which 
they were used, furnished the frames of the vessels; the outside planks 
were of oak alone, the decks of pine. To eke out the iron, every scrap 
was gathered from the village smithies, and welded together. Of 
blacksmiths, but two came from Philadelphia; others were taken from 
the militia, who were called out as a guard. Taylor, having, on the 
20th of March, arrived from Sackett's Harbor, with twenty officers and 
men. Perry left him for a few days in command, and, by a hurried visit 
to Pittsburgh, quickened the movements, on which he depended for 
more artificers, for canvas, muskets, small guns, shot and balls. 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 131 



On the third of May the gunboats were launched, and at sunset of the 
twenty-third, the brigs, each of I 1 feet in length, of five hundred tons 
burden, pierced for twenty guns, were got ready for launching. Just at 
that moment Perry received information that Fort George, the British post 
at the outlet of the Niagara, was to be attacked by the American army, in 
concert with the fleet on Lake Ontario. As soon as night closed in, he 
threw himself into a four-oared open boat; through darkness, and against 
squalls and head-winds, reached Buffalo the next day, and on the evening 
of May twenty-fifth joined Chauncey as a volunteer. " No person on 
earth could at this time be more welcome," said Chauncey to the young 
hero whose coming was unexpected. Perry was taken to counsel on the 
best mode of landing the troops, and rendered essential aid in their 
debarkation, winning general applause for his judgment, gallantry and 
alacrity. The official report declares that " he was present at every 
point where he could be useful, under showers of musketry." 

He escaped unhurt, and turned the capture of Fort George to account 
for his duty on Lake Erie. The British being driven from both banks 
of the Niagara, Perry could remove from Black Rock the public vessels 
which had hitherto been confined there by Canadian batteries. Of these 
the largest was the Caledonia, which Lieutenant Elliott had captured 
from the British in the previous year. The others were three small 
schooners and a sloop, trading vessels, purchased for the government, and 
fitted out as gunboats by Henry Eckford, of New York. They were 
laden with all the naval stores at Black Rock, and by the aid of oxen. 
seamen, and a detachment of two hundred soldiers, were tracked against 
the vehement current. 

It took a fortnight of almost incredible fatigue to bring them up to 
Buffalo, where danger began. The little flotilla had altogether but 



132 State of New York 

eight guns. Finnis, a skillful and experienced officer, who still com- 
manded the British squadron, was on the watch, with a force five or six 
times as great. But Perry, by vigilance and promptness, escaped, and 
in the evening of the nineteenth of June, just as the British squadron hove 
in sight, he brought his group of gunboats into the harbor of Erie. 

The incessant exertion of all his faculties, night watching, and unend 
ing care, wore upon Perry's frame; but there could be no pause in his 
efforts, for there was no end to his difficulties. His example sustained 
the spirit of the workmen; one-fifth of them were sick, but the work was 
kept up all day and all night, by the rest, who toiled on without 
a murmur, and not one deserted. The brig over which Perry was to 
raise his flag, was, by the Secretary of the Navy, named LaTvrence, in 
honor of the gallant officer who could die in his country's service, but 
could not brook defeat; the other, equal to it in size and strength, was 
called the Niagara. By the tenth of July all the vessels were equipped, 
and could have gone out in a day after the reception of their crews; but 
there were barely men enough for one of the brigs. All recruits were 
furnished, not directly from Philadelphia, as a thoughtful secretary 
would have ordered, but with much loss of time, roundabout, by way of 
Sackett's Harbor, and through Chauncey, who was under a perpetual 
temptation to detain the best on Lake Ontario. 

On the twentieth of July, the British, now commanded by the veteran 
Barclay, rode in triumph off the Bar of Erie. Perry bent his eyes long- 
ingly on the east; he watched the coming of every mail, of every traveler, 
as the harbinger of the glad tidings that men were on the way. " Give 
me men," he wrote to Chauncey, " and I will acquire honor and glory 
both for you and myself, or perish in the attempt. Think of my 
situation; the enemy within striking distance, my vessels ready, and I 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 133 



obliged to bile my fingers with vexation, for want of men. I know you 
will send them as soon as possible, yet a day appears an age." 

On the twenty-third Champlin arrived with a reinforcement of seventy 
persons, but they were " a motley set of negroes, soldiers and boys. 
Chauncey repelled all complaints. " I have yet to learn," said he, " that 
the color of the skin can affect a man's qualifications or usefulness. I 
have nearly fifty blacks on board of this ship, and many of them 
are among my best men." Meantime Perry declared himself " pleased 
to see anything in the shape of a man." But his numbers were still 
incomplete. " My vessels," he again wrote, " are all ready, our sails are 
bent, Barclay has been bearding me for several days. I long to have at 
him ; he shows no disposition to avoid the contest. 

Perry had not in his character one grain of envy. Impatient as a 
race-horse to win the palm in the contest for glory, no one paid a heartiei 
or more genial tribute to the merit of every other officer, even where, like 
Morris, a junior officer, received promotion over his head. He now 
invited Chauncey himself to come up with sufficient men, beat the British 
on Lake Erie, and return to crush them on Lake Ontario. In his zeal 
for his country and the service, he subdued his own insatiable thirst for 
honor. Meantime he suffered most keenly from his compulsory inac- 
tivity; for letters from the Secretary of the Navy required his active 
co-operation with the army, and when he explained to Harrison the 
cause of delay, the Secretary chid him for letting his weakness be known. 

The harbor of Erie is a beautiful expanse of water, offering shelter to 
navies of merchantmen, and would be the best on the Lake but for its 
bar. It remained to lift the armed brigs over the shallow, and it was to 
be done as it were in the presence of an enemy. Success required secrecy 
and dispatch. 



134 State of New York 

On the first of August the British squadron disappeared. On the 
instemt Perry seized the opportunity to affect the dangerous achievement. 
C2unels had been provided to lift the brigs; the lake was lov^^er than 
usual, but the weather was still. The guns of the Lawrence, all loaded 
and shotted, were whipped out, and landed on the beach, and on the 
morning of the second the camels were applied. 

On the first experiment the timbers yielded a little to the strain, and the 
camels required to be slung a second time. From daylight on the second 
of August, to the fourth. Perry, whose health had already suffered, was 
constantly on the alert, without sleep or rest; his example heartened 
his men. 

Who could complain when their commander bore so much? After 
toiling all day, on the second, all the next night, the next day, and again 
another night, the Laivrence, at daylight, on the fourth, was fairly over 
the bar. On the fifth the Niagara was got over at the first attempt. 

" Thank God," wrote Perry, " the other sloop-of-war is over; in a few 
hours I shall be after the enemy, who is now making off." 

Ill provided as he was with men and officers, he gave chase to die 
British; but his daring was vain; they retreated to Maiden, and he 
returned to anchor off Erie. 

Till the new ship, which the British were equipping at Maiden, should 
be ready. Perry had the superiority, and he used it to lade his vessels 
with military stores for the army near Sandusky ; but, for a battle on the 
Lake, he needed officers, as well as seamen. 

" I have been on the station," he could say, " for five months without 
an officer of the least experience, except one sailing-master." 

Just then a midshipman arrived with a letter that Lieutenant Elliott 
(soon promoted to a commander) was on the way, with ninety men and 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 135 



several officers, and a vessel was at once hurried off to bring them up. 
But a letter also came to Perry from Chauncey, marked in its super- 
scription, and in every line by impatience, if not by insult. Perry was 
justly moved by its tone, but, after complaint, remonstrance, and further 
letters, he acted like " an officer whose first duty it is to sacrifice all per- 
sonal feelings to his public duties." 

Elliott, on his arrival, took command of the Niagara, and Perry, with 
a generosity that was natural to him, allowed him to select for his own 
ship the best of the men who came with him. 

On the twelfth, Perry, having traced his plan of battle, in case of 
attack, ranged his squadron in a double column, and sailed for the upper 
end of the Lake. Arriving off Cunningham Island, one of the enemy's 
schooners appeared in sight, was chased, and escaped capture only by 
disappearing at nightfall among the islands. 

On the evening of the nineteenth, as the squadron lay off Sandusky, 
General Harrison came on board the Lawrence with Cass, McArthur, 
Gaines and Croghan. At the same time came six and twenty chiefs of 
the Shawnees, Wyandots and Delawares, by whose influence it was 
hoped to detach the Indians of the Northwest from the British service. 
Between Harrison and Perry the happiest spirit of concert prevailed. 
The General pointed out to him the excellence of the harbor, Put-in-Bay, 
which became his anchoring ground after he had landed the stores for 
the army, and reconnoitred the British squadron at Maiden. 

Chauncey had promised to send fifty marines, but had recalled them 
when on their way to Lake Erie. Harrison, who saw the want unsup- 
plied, and observed how much the little squadron had been weakened by 
sickness, now sent on board from his army near one hundred men, all of 
whom were volunteers. Some of these, having served as boatmen on the 



136 State of New York 



Ohio, were put on duty as seamen; the rest chiefly from Kentucky, who 
had never before seen a ship, acted as marines. 

Just then Perry was taken down by a violent attack of lake fever, but 
it was no time to yield to physical weakness; he gave up to the care of 
himself only the few days necessary to make the crews acquainted with 
each other, and to teach the new men the use of the guns. 

On the first of September he was able to be on deck, and again sailed 
towards Maiden. Here he found that the British had equipped their 
new ship, which they had proudly named Detroit, as a memorial of their 
conquest; but, though Perry defied them, the British, as yet. showed no 
disposition to meet him, and he returned to Put-in-Bay. 

But, meantime, the British army, which had been accustomed to the 
abundance and security which the dominion of the water had afforded, 
began to suffer from the want of provisions; and, to restore the uninter- 
rupted communication with Long Point. General Proctor insisted on the 
necessity of risking a naval engagement, of which the issue was not 
thought uncertain. Of this Perry was seasonably informed. 

On the sixth, he again reconnoitred, and finding the enemy still at his 
moorings, he returned once more to fill his anchorage, to make his final 
arrangements for the conflict, which was inevitably near at hand. On 
the evening of the ninth, he summoned by signal the commanders of the 
several vessels, and gave them their instructions in writing. It was his 
policy to fight the enemy at close quarters; to each vessel its antagonist 
on the British side, was marked out; to the LatvTence, the Detroit; to the 
Niagara, the Queen Charlotte; and the written order said: " Engage 
each your designated adversary in close action, at half cable-length." 
He also showed them a flag of blue bunting, on which were sewed in 
while letters the last words of Lawrence, " Don't give up the ship." It 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 137 



was a bright Autumn night; the moon was at the full; as they parted, 
each to return to his vessel, the last injunction of their young commander 
was given in the words of Nelson: " If you lay your enemy alongside, 
you cannot be out of your place." 

At sunrise, on the tenth, the British squadron was discovered from the 
masthead of the Lawrence, gallantly bearing down for action. To 
Perry, all languishing as he was from the wasting attack of a severe 
bilious fever, the news was as welcome as the bidding of the most import- 
ant duty of his life. His anchors were soon lifted, and his squadron 
began beating out of the bay. against a gentle breeze from the south- 
west. Three or four hours passed away in this contest with an adverse 
wind, when he resolved to wear ship, and run to leeward of the island. 
'* You will engage the enemy from to leeward," said the sailing-master, 
Taylor. " To windward or to leeward," answered Perry, " they shall 
fight to-day." But nature, on that occasion, came into an alliance v^nth 
his hopeful courage, and the wind shifted to the south-east. A sli^t 
shower had fallen in the morning, the sky became clear. The day on 
which Perry, forming his line, slowly bore up towards the enemy, then 
nearly three leagues off, was one of the loveliest of the beautiful days of 
autumn. 

At first the Niagara led the van. When within about a league of the 
British, Perry saw that Barclay, with whose vessel he was to engage, 
occupied the head of the British line, and he promptly altered the dispo- 
sition of his vessels, to conform to it. Elliott had no cause to be piqued 
at the change, which was required by the plan that had been uniformly 
proposed; it was in itself most fit, and was made promptly, and without 
confusion. 



138 State of New York 

The British squadron had hove-to, in close order, the ships' heads to 
the southward and westward, and waiting to be attacked, the sides of 
the vessels, newly painted, glittering in the sun, and their gay colors flying 
in the breeze. The Detroit, a new brig of nineteen or twenty guns, com- 
manded by Barclay, an experienced officer, who had fought with Nelson, 
at Trafalgar, was in the van, supported by the Cbippeiva, a gunboat, 
with one long eighteen, on a pivot. Next rode the Hunter of ten guns; 
the Queen Charlotte, of seventeen guns, commanded by Finnis, a gallant 
and tried officer, who had commanded the squadron till Barclay's arrival, 
was the fourth, and was flanked by the Ladv Prevost, which carried 
thirteen guns, and the Little Belt, which had three. On the American 
side. Perry, in the Lawrence, of twenty guns, flanked on his left by the 
Scorpion, under Champlin, with one long, and one short gun, and the 
Ariel, under Lieutenant Almy, with four short twelves, and sustained 
on his right by Turner, in the Caledonia, with three long twenty-fours, 
were to support each other, and cope with the Chippewa, the Detroit, 
and the Hunter; while Elliott, in the Niagara, a noble vessel, of twenty 
guns, which to encounter the Queen Charlotte, came next; and with 
Almy in the Somers, with two long thirty-twos; the Porcupine, with one 
long thirty-two; the Tigress, with one long twenty- four, and the Trippe. 
with one long thirty-two, was to engage the Lad^ Prevost and the Little 
Bell. The American gunboat Ohio, with Sailing Master Dobbins in 
command, was absent on special service. 

In ships the British had the superiority, their vessels being stronger, 
and their forces being more concentrated; the American gunboats at the 
right of the American line, separated from each other by at least a half 
cable's length, were not near enough for good service. In number of 
guns the British had 63, the Americans 54. In action at a distance, the 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 139 



British, who had 35 long guns to 15, had greatly the advantage; in close 
action the weight of metal would favor the Americans. The British 
commander had one hundred and fifty men from the royal navy, eighty 
Canadian sailors, and two hundred and forty soldiers, mostly regulars, 
and some Indians, making, with their officers, a little more than five 
hundred men, of whom at least four hundred and fifty were efficient. 
The American crews, of whom about one-fourth were from Rhode 
Island, one-fourth regular seamen, American or cosmopolitan, about 
one-fourth raw volunteers from Pennsylvania, Ohio, but chiefly Ken- 
tucky, and about one-fourth blacks, numbered on the muster-roll four 
hundred and ninety, but of these one hundred and sixteen were sick, 
nearly all of whom were too weak to come on deck, so that the efficient 
force of the squadron was a little less than four hundred. The report of 
the Prize Money Agent and Perry's list of the killed and wounded show 
a larger number than this. There were also twelve on the absent Ohio. 
While the Americans, having the weather-gauge, bore up for action. 
Perry unfolded to the crew of the Lawrence the motto flag; it was 
received with hearty cheers, and run up to the top of the fore-royal, in 
sight of the whole squadron. The decks were wetted and strewn with 
sand, to insure a firm foothold when blood should begin to flow; and 
refreshments were hastily served. For an hour the stillness of expecta- 
tion continued unbroken, till a bugle was heard to sound on board the 
Detroit, followed by loud and concerted cheers from all the British line, 
and Barclay began the conflict, in which the defeat of the Americans 
would yield to the British the superiority in arms on the land, bare the 
shores of Ohio to ruthless havoc and ravage, leave Detroit and the Far 
West in the power of the English king, let loose the savage with his 



140 State of New York 



tomahawk on every family of emigrants along the border, and dishonor 
the star-spangled banner on the continent and on the lakes. 

At fifteen minutes before twelve, Barclay began the action by firing a 
single twenty-four pound shot at the Lajvrence, which had then 
approached within a mile and a half, or less, of the British line. The 
shot did not take effect; but it was clear that he desired to conduct the 
fight with the American squadron at a distance, which his very great 
superiority in long guns marked out as his wisest plan. It was, on the 
other hand, the object of Perry to bring his squadron as near to 
his antagonist as possible, for he had the advantage in weight of metal. 
In ten minutes more the shot from the Detroit struck the Lawrence, and 
passed through her bulwarks. 

At that moment the advantage lay altogether with the British, whose 
line headed nearly south-south-west; the Americans, as they advanced, 
headed about north-west, with the wind abeam; so that the two lines 
formed an acute angle of about fifteen degrees; the Lawrence as yet 
scarcely reached beyond the third vessel in the British line, so that she 
was almost as much in the rear of the Detroit as in advance of the Queen 
Charlotte. TTie Caledonia was in its designated place in the American 
line, at a half-cable's length from the Lawrence, and from the angle at 
which the line formed, a little less near the enemy. The Niagara, which 
followed the Caledonia, was abaft the beam of the Charlotte, and 
opposite the Ladv Prevosl, but at a slightly greater distance from the 
British than the ships which preceded her. As for the gunboats, they 
would have spread beyond the British lines by more than a quarter of a 
mile, had they been in their places, each distant from the other a half- 
cable's length; but they were dull sailers, and the sternmost was more 
than two miles distant from the enemy, and more than a mile behind the 
Lawrence. 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 141 



At five minutes before twelve, the Lawrence, which was already 
suffering, began to return the British attack from her long twelve-pounder; 
the two schooners on her weather-bow, the Scorpion under Chcunplin, 
the Ariel under Lieutenant Packet, were ordered by trumpet to open 
their fire; and the action became general along the two lines. The two 
schooners bravely kept their place all the day, and gallantly and steadily 
rendered every aid, which their few guns and weight of armament 
allowed. TTie Caledonia was able to engage at once and effectively, for 
she carried two long twenty-fours; but the carronades of the Niagara fell 
short of their mark. Elliott therefore at first used only one long twelve- 
pounder, which was on the side toward the enemy; but he soon moved 
another where it could be serviceable; so that while his ship carried 
twenty guns, he dischcirged but two; which, however, were plied so 
vigorously, that in the course of two hours or more, nearly all the shot of 
that calibre was expended. The sternmost gunboats could as yet take 
no part in the fight. 

It was under these circumstances that Perry formed the desperate but 
necessary resolution of taking the utmost advantage of the superior speed 
of the Laivrence, and leaving the Caledonia, he advanced upon the 
enemy ; so that however great might have been the zeal of every officer in 
the other ships of his squadron, he must necessarily have remained for a 
short time exposed alone. The breeze was light; his motion was slow; 
and as he fanned down with the flagging wind, the Detroit with her long 
guns, planted her shot in the Larvrence deliberately and at discretion. 
The Scorpion and Ariel, all exposed as they were for the want of bul- 
warks, accompanied the flag-ship, but suffered little, for they were 
neglected by the enemy, who concentrated his fire on the Laivrence. 



142 State of New York 

At noon, Perry luffed up and tried the effect of the first division of his 
battery on the starboard side; but it did not much injure his antagonist; 
he therefore bore away again, and approached nearer and still nearer, 
and after firing a broadside at a quarter past twelve, once more continued 
his onward course, till he arrived " within canister shot distance," or 
within five hundred yards, or a little less, when he took a position parallel 
to the Detroit; and, notwithstanding what he had suffered from loss of 
men and injury to his rigging, he poured in upon her a swift, continuous 
and effective fire. Here the good effect of his discipline was apparent; 
his men showed how well they had been trained to the guns, which were 
rapidly and skillfully served. In the beginning of the conflict, the 
Niagara came in for a share of the attention of the enemy, whose shot 
very early took effect upon her and carried away one of her fore-top- 
mast-back-stays. But at half-past twelve, Finnis who commanded the 
Queen Charlotte, perceived that the Niagara, which was apparently 
destined for his antagonist, " kept so far to windward as to render his 
twenty-four-pounder carronades useless," made sail for the purpose of 
assisting the Detroit; so that Perry, in the Lawrence, aided only by the 
schooners on his weather-bow, and the distant shots of the Caledonia, had 
to contend in close action with more than twice his force. 

Tlie carnage was terrible ; yet the commodore, as his men loved to call 
their young commander, was on that day nerved by a superior spirit ; 
wrought up to the highest state of mental activity, he was superior to every 
infirmity of mind or body, of passion or will; he knew not that he was still 
languishing under the effects of a violent fever, he was unmoved in the 
presence of danger, and amidst the scenes of agony and death, he main- 
tained a perfect cheerfulness of manner and serenity of judgment. His 
young brother, a boy of thirteen, was struck down at his side, but he was 



The Pei«^y's Victory Centenary 143 



spared the trial of seeing him die; the blow came only from fragments, 
which had been dashed to pieces by a ball; and he soon recovered. 
Yarnall, his first lieutenant, came to him with the report that all the officers 
in his division were cut down ; and asked for others. They were assigned 
him; but he soon returned with a renewal of the same tale and the same 
request. " I have no more officers to furnish you," said Perry; "you 
must endeavor to make out by yourself." And Yarnall was true to the 
admonition ; though at least thrice wounded, he kept on deck, ever direct- 
ing his battery in person. Forrest, the second lieutenant, was struck down 
at Perry's side, by a grape shot ; but the ball had spent its force ; he was 
only stunned, and soon recovered. The dying, with whom the deck was 
strewn, rested their last looks upon the countenance of their beloved com- 
mander ; and when men at the guns were swept away, the survivors turned 
silently round to catch his eye, as they stepped into the places of their 
companions who had fallen. Brooks of Massachusetts, — son of a 
soldier of the Revolution, who is still remembered as an upright and 
popular Governor of that State, — an excellent officer of marines, a man 
of rare endowments and of singular personal beauty, was fearfully 
mangled by a cannon ball in the hip. Carried down to the surgeon's 
apartment, he asked no aid, for he knew his doom, and that he had life 
in him for only one or two half hours; but as he gave himself over to 
death, he often inquired how the day was gomg; and when the crowd of 
new-comers from the deck showed how deadly was the contest, he ever 
repeated his hope for the safety of the commodore. 

In the midst of this terrible slaughter, concentrated in a single brig, both 
officers and crew looked along their line for help, and asked one another. 
Where is the Niagara? She was to have engaged the Queen Charlotte; 
why is she not at hand? Elliott knew full well that it had been Perry's 



144 State of New York 



*' intention to bring the enemy to close action immediately," and, before 
the fighting began, had " mentioned it to his crew," in language suited 
to inspire them with confidence. He knew full well that he was specially 
directed to attack the Queen Charlotte, and from the superiority of his 
armament, he had boasted that if he could come along side of her, he 
could take her in ten minutes. TTie wind, it is true, was light; but no 
want of a wind compelled him to leave the Lawrence to bear " a great 
proportion " or the whole " of the fire of the Queen Charlotte and of the 
Hunter, as well as of the Detroit; " his ship was a fleet one; to restrain 
her from passing the Caledonia " he was obliged frequently to keep the 
main yard braced sharp aback." Elliott was a young man, born the self- 
same year with Perry, his peer in rank as master-commandant, except 
that Perry, from having entered the navy in boyhood, was some years his 
senior in the service. How could he suffer the enemy, undisturbed, to 
fall in numbers on one whom he should have loved as a brother, whose 
danger he should have shared, in the brightness of whose glory he should 
have found new lustre added to his own name? Some attributed his 
delay to fear; but though he had so far one attribute to a timid man, that 
he was a noisy boaster, his conduct during the day, in the judgment of dis- 
interested observers and critics, acquits him of having been spellbound by 
downright cowardice. Some charged him with disaffection to his 
country, from sympathy with family connections in Canada; but this is 
an imputation justified by no concurrent circumstances, or acts of his 
earlier or latter life. Some thought him blinded by envy, which sews up 
the eyes with an iron thread, and leaves the mind to hover on an undis- 
cerning wing. He may, perhaps, have been disturbed by that unhappy 
passion, for a year before he had himself conspicuously won applause 
near Buffalo, and had then promised himself the command on Lake Erie, 







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OFFICIAL INVITATION 

Issued by the New \'oi-k State Commission anrl the Perry's Victory 
Centennial Committee of the City of Buffalo, N. Y. 









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Sailing Orders of Commodore Perry for the Trar.sfer of the Five Buffalo 

Vessels from Buffalo. N. ^■., to Erie, Pa. Dated Buffalo, 

June 12, 1813, 

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Sailing Orders of Commodore Perry for the Transfer of the Five 

Buffalo Vessels from Buffalo, N. "i'., to Erie, Pa. Dated 

Buffalo, June 12. 1813 

{Orioinal in the cu^loily of the Buffalo Ilislorical Society) 



The Pei^y's Victory Centenary 145 



to be followed by a victory achieved under his own flag; that very morn- 
ing, too, his first position had been, as we have seen, in the van ; but it had 
been very properly changed for the purpose of placing him opposite to 
the Queen Charlotte. Elliott had inherent defects of character. He 
lacked the generous impulse which delights in the fame of others; the 
delicacy of sentiment which rejects from afar everything coarse or mean; 
the alertness of courage which finds in danger an allurement; the quick 
perception that sees the time to strike; the self-possessed will, which is 
sure to hit the nail on the head. According to his own account, he at 
first determined to run through the line in pursuit of the Queen Chadolte; 
and having a fair and sufficient breeze, he directed the weather braces to 
be manned for that purpose; but he changed his purpose, when he 
observed that the LaJvrence was crippled, and that her fire was slacken- 
ing; and after a consultation with the purser Magrath, who was an experi- 
enced seaman, he agreed, " If the British effect the weather gauge, we 
are gone." So kept his place next in the line to the Caledonia, which 
lingered behind, because she was a dull sailer, and, in the light wind, was 
moreover retarded in her movements by the zeal of Turner, her com- 
mander, to render service by his armament, which enabled him to keep 
up an effective fire from the distance. 

It was a part of Elliott's orders to close with the Queen Charlotte, but 
he held it to be his paramount duty to keep his place, a half-cable's length 
behind the Caledonia on the line as designated in the original order of 
battle, even though the flagship of the squadron might be cut to pieces. 

So Perry lay exposed to thrice his force, at the distance of fifteen hun- 
dred or a thousand feet, aided only by the two schooners on his beam, 
and the constant help of the Caledonia. Under the heavy fire the men 
on deck became fewer; but Perry continued the action with unabated 



10 



146 State of New York 

serenity. Parsons, the surgeon's mate, and the only man in the fleet who 
was then able to render surgical aid, heard a call for him at the small sky- 
light, that let in the day upon his apartment; and as he stepped up he 
recognized the countenance of his commander, who said, with a placid 
countenance and quiet tone: "Doctor, send me one of your men;" 
meaning one of the six men allowed for assistance to the wounded. The 
call was obeyed; in a few minutes it was successively renewed and 
obeyed, till at the seventh call. Parsons could only answer that there were 
no more. "Are there any that can pull a rope? " asked Perry; and two 
or three of the wounded crawled on deck, to lend a hand at pulling at the 
last guns. Wilson Mays, carpenters' mate, who was so sick as to be 
unfit for the deck, begged to be of use. " But what can you do? " was 
the question. And he replied : " I can sound the pump, and let a 
strong man go to the guns." He accordingly sat down by the pump, and 
at the end of the fight was found at his post, " with a ball through his 
heart." The surgeon's apartment could offer no security to the wounded. 
In the shallow vessel it was necessarily on a level with the water, and was 
repeatedly perforated by cannon balls. Once as the surgeon stooped to 
dress a wound, a ball passed directly over his head, and must have 
destroyed him, had he not been bending down. A wounded midship- 
man, Henry Laub, just as he left the surgeon's hands, was dashed against 
the ship's side by a cannon ball. On deck, the bulwarks were broken in, 
and round balls passed through the little obstructions; but as long as he 
could. Perry kept up a regular and effective fire, so that the Detroit, of 
whose crew many were killed or wounded, was almost dismantled. On 
board the Queen Charlotte, the loss was most important, for Finnis, her 
commander, " a noble and intrepid officer," fell at his post, and Lieu- 
tenant Stokoe, the next officer in rank, was struck senseless by a splinter. 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 147 



On board the Larvrence the shrieks of the wounded and the crash of 
timbers shattered by cannon balls, were still heard ; but its own fire grew 
fainter and fainter; one gun after another was dismounted. Death had 
the mastery: the carnage was unparalleled in naval warfare; more than 
four-fifths of the effective officers and men on board were killed or dis- 
abled by wounds; the deck, in spile of the layer of sand, was slippery 
with blood, which ran down the sides of the ship; the wounded and the 
dead lay thickly strewn everywhere around. To fire the last gun. Perry 
himself assisted. At last every gun in the ship's battery on the enemy's 
side were dismounted, every brace and bow-line was shot away ; the vessel 
became unmanageable, in spite of the zeal of the commander and the 
great exertions of the Sailing Master. And still Perry did not despair, 
but had an eye which could look through the cloud. 

Meantime Elliott watched the last spasms of the Lawrence as it lay 
gasping in its ruin; and now that its fire was dying away, that no fresh 
signal was hoisted, that no special message was sent from Perry, he per- 
suaded himself that his young superior lay among the slain. 

Believing himself now the chief commander of the squadron, Elliott 
hailed the Caledonia and ordered Lieutenant Turner to bear up and 
make way for him. Turner at once, without a word, put up his helm 
in the most daring manner, and made sail for the enemy's line, using his 
small armament all the while to the best advantage; while Elliott, under 
a freshening breeze, passed to the windward of the Caledonia. The 
Lawrence lay disabled and silent; by all the rules of naval warfare, he 
should have given her protection by sailing between her and the British ; 
but instead of it, he kept to the windward, sheltered by the helpless flag- 
ship, to which he sent Magrath in a boat with a few brave men for twelve- 
pound round shot, to replenish his own nearly exhausted stock; and, then 



148 State of New York 



firing as he went along, on the Queen Charlotte, he steered for the head 
of the British line. Perry, who saw with the swiftness of intuition the new 
method that must be chosen now that the first failed, and who had already 
resolved to transfer his flag, with the certainty that, in the crippled state 
of the British, " victory must perch on his banner," immediately entered 
his boat with his commander's pennant, and bade the sailors whom he 
took as oarsmen to row with all speed for the Niagara. The command 
of the LaTvrence fell to Yarnall, with full discretionary power to sur- 
render or hold out; but he had an admonition from the motto flag which 
the departing hero had sent flying to the mast-head, and which spoke the 
trumpet words: Don't GIVE UP THE SHIP. The flag had been raised 
amidst the shouts of the whole squadron and the promise of the crew of 
the Lawrence to redeem that pledge. Yarnall consulted with Forrest 
and with Taylor; there were no more guns that could be used; and had 
there been, men were wanting to handle them. Fourteen persons alone 
were left well and unhurt, and only nine were seamen. Further resist- 
ance was impossible; to hold out might only expose life recklessly. 
Officers and men watched anxiously the progress of Perry ; they saw the 
sailors force him to sit down ; they saw a broadside aimed at him, and fall 
harmlessly around him; they saw marines from three vessels shower at 
him musket balls, which only ruffled the water of the lake ; and at fifteen 
minutes before three, they saw the oars dipping for the last time, and 
their beloved commander climb the side of the Niagara. They had 
braved the enemy's fire for three hours; could they not confide in help 
from their commodore and hold out five minutes more? True, they had 
no means of offense ; but they had a pledge to keep ; they had an enemy 
whose dying courage they should refuse to reanimate; they had their 
country's flag to preserve unblemished; they had the honor of that day's 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 149 

martyrs to guard ; they had a chief to whom they should have spared an 
unspeakable pain ; they had the wounded to consider, who with one voice 
cried out : " Rather sink the ship than surrender ! Let us all sink 
together! " And yet a shout of triumph from the enemy proclaimed to 
both squadrons that the flag of the Lawrence had been lowered ; nor did 
they then forbode how soon it was to be raised again. 

Meantime Perry climbed the gangway of the Niagara, and the 
superior officer, whom Elliott had thought to be dead, stood before him, 
radiant with the indomitable purpose of winning the day; with his forti- 
tude unimpaired by the crowded horrors of the last two hours; black with 
the smoke of battle, but unscathed, with not so much as a wound on his 
skin; with not a hair of his head harmed. His quick eye glanced at the 
ship's rigging, at the hale crew that thronged the deck, and his buoyant 
nature promised him a harvest of glory as he beheld the Niagara, " very 
little injured," even " perfectly fresh," its crew in the best condition, with 
scarcely more than three men hurt. Elliott's mind was stunned; and 
completely dumbfounded he asked the foolish question : " What is the 
result on board your brig? " though he had seen that the brig was a dis- 
abled wreck, and had even thought that Perry had fallen. " Cut all to 
pieces! " said Perry whose mind had instantly condemned the course in 
which Elliott was steering, and was forming his plan for redeeming the 
day. " I have been sacrificed," he added ; but he checked all reproach 
of Elliott, and blamed only the gunboats, which had been still farther 
astern. It marks how ill Elliott was at ease, how much he was struck 
with shame, how entirely he lost his self-possession, that he caught at the 
word which seemed to relieve him from censure, and at once offered to 
go and bring up the gunboats. " Do so," said Perry, for Elliott had 
anticipated his wish, and proposed what was best for both. At this. 



150 State of New York 



Elliott, the second officer of the squadron, whose right it would be to take 
the chief command if Perry should be wounded, left his own brig, and 
went in a boat on the paltry errand, fit only for a subordinate, to bear a 
superfluous message to the gunboats, which, under their gallant officers, 
were already advancing as fast as possible. 

As he stepped into the brig. Perry, running up his pennant, and hoist- 
ing the signal for close action, which was instantly answered from all the 
squadron with loud cheers, hove to, and veered ship, altering her course 
eight points, set foresail, topsails and top-gallant sail, and bore down to 
cut the British line, which lay at the distance of a half mile. 

The Lad^ Prevost, disabled by the loss of her rudder, had drifted to 
the westward and leeward from her place in the line; Barclay in the 
Detroit, when he saw the prospect of a contest widi a second brig, had 
attempted to veer around, that he might bring his starboard broadside to 
bear; but in doing it he had fallen upon the Queen Charlotte. At this 
moment Perry, whom seven, eight or ten minutes in the freshened breeze 
had brought up with the British, disregarding their fire, cut their line, 
placing the Chippewa and Lady Prevost on his left, the Detroit and 
Queen Charlotte on his right: and as he did so, he shortened sail to make 
sure of his aim, and coolly and v«th fatal accuracy, at half pistol shot, he 
raked the Lady Prevost with his broadside port, while he poured his full 
starboard broadside on the Detroit and Queen Charlotte as they lay 
entangled and for the moment helplessly exposed. The loud many- 
voiced shriek that rose from the Detroit told that the tide of battle had 
turned; but what was worse for the British was that their gallant com- 
mander, the skillful and intrepid, but ill-fated Barclay, who had lost an 
arm at Trafalgar, received a desperate wound which was to deprive him 
of the other. The wound was so severe that he was obliged to be carried 
below, leaving the direction to an officer of little experience. 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 151 

Perry now ordered the marines to clear the decks of the Lady Prevost; 
but the survivors, terrified by the raking fire which they had suffered, fled 
below, leaving on deck no one but their commander, who, having for the 
moment lost his senses from a severe wound in the head, remained at his 
post, gazing about with a vacant stare. Perry, merciful even in battle, 
stopped his guns on that side, but having luffed athwart the two ships, 
which had now got clear of one another, he continued to pour into them a 
close, deadly fire. Meantime Elliott, heedless of exposure to danger, had 
passed in an open boat down the line, and repeated to the schooners the 
orders which Perry had sufficiently announced by signal. Their com- 
manders themselves, with sails up and the use of large oars, hastened into 
close fight. The Trippe, under Holdup Stevens, was following hard 
upon the Caledonia: so that Elliott got on board the Somers, a schooner 
of two guns, where he showed his rankling discontent and unsettled frame 
of mind by sending the commanding officers below, and beating with his 
trumpet a gunner who disregarded an absurd order, and did just what 
was evidently most proper to be done. 

The small vessels having by this time " got within grape and canister 
distance," threw in close discharges from their side. TTie commanding 
officer of the Queen Chadotte, finding himself exposed to be raked ahead 
and astern, was the first to give up; one of her officers appeared on the 
taffrail of that ship, and waved a white handkerchief, bent to a boarding- 
pike, in token that she had struck. The Deiroil had become completely 
unmanageable ; every brace was cut away, the mizzen-top-mast and gaff 
were down, the other masts badly wounded, not a stay left forward, the 
hull very much shattered, and a few guns disabled; at three, or a few 
minutes after. Lieutenant Inglis was therefore under the necessity of hail- 
ing the Americans, to say he surrendered. The Hunter yielded at the 



152 State of New York 



same time, as did the Lad}) Prevost, which lay to leeward under the guns 
of the Niagara. The Chippewa, on the right of the British line, and the 
Little Belt, on the extreme left, endeavored to escape; but the first was 
stopped by Champlin, in the Scorpion; the other by Holdup Stevens in 

the Trippe. 

As the cannon ceased, an awful stillness set in, disturbed only by the 
feeble groans of the wounded, or the dash of oars as boats glided from 
one vessel to another. 

Possession having been taken of the conquered fleet, at four o'clock 
Perry sent an express to Harrison with these words: 

Dear General. — We have met the enemy, and they are ours; two ships, two 
brigs, one schooner and one sloop. 

As he wrote to the Secretary of the Navy, a religious awe seemed to 
come over him, at his wonderful preservation in the midst of great and 
long-continued danger; and he attributed his signal victory to the pleasure 
of the Almighty. 

It was on board the Lawrence that Perry then received the submission 
of the captives. This was due to the sufferings of her crew, to the self- 
sacrificing courage of the unnamed martyrs who still lay unburied on her 
deck; to the crowd of wounded, who thought their trials well rewarded 
by the issue. The witnesses to the act of the British officers in tendering 
their swords were chiefly the dead and wounded, and the scene of sorrow 
tempered and subdued the exultation of triumph. 

The conqueror bade his captives retain their side-arms; and added 
every just and unaffected expression of courtesy, mercy, and solicitude 
for their wounded. 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 153 

When twilight fell, the mariners who had fallen on board the 
Lawrence and had lain in heaps on the side of the ship opposite the 
British, were sewn up in their hammocks, and, with a cannon ball at their 
feet, were dropped one by one into the Lake. 

At last, but not till this day's work was done, exhausted nature claimed 
rest, and Perry, turning to his cot, slept as sweetly and quietly as a child. 

The dawn of morning revealed the deadly fierceness of the combat. 
Spectators from the island found the sides of the Lawrence completely 
riddled by shot from the long guns of the British; her deck was thickly 
covered with clots of blood; fragments of those who had been struck, 
hair, brains, broken pieces of bones, were still sticking to the rigging and 
sides. The sides of the Detroit and Queen Charlotte were shattered 
from bow to stern ; on their larboard side there was hardly a hand's 
breadth free from the dent of a shot. Balls, cannister and grape were 
found lodged in their bulwarks; their masts were so much injured, that 
they rolled out in the first high wind. 

TTie loss of the British, as reported by Barclay, amounted to forty-one 
killed, of whom three were officers, and ninety-four wounded, of whom 
nine were officers. Of the Americans, twenty-seven were killed and 
ninety-six wounded. Of these, twenty-two were killed and sixty-one 
wounded in the Lawrence, and about twenty more were wounded in the 
Niagara after she received Perry on board. 

An opening on the margin of Put-in-Bay was selected for the burial- 
place for the officers who had fallen. TTie day was serene, the breezes 
hushed, the water unruffled by a wavelet. TTie men of both fleets 
mourned together; as the boats moved slowly in procession, the music 
played dirges to which the oars kept time; the flags showed the sign of 
sorrow ; solemn minute guns were heard from the ships. The spot where 



154 State of New York 

the funeral train went on shore was a wild solitude; Americans and 
British walked in alternate couples to the graves, like men who, in the 
presence of eternity, renewed the relation of brothers and members of one 
human family, and the bodies of the dead were likewise borne along 
and buried alternately, English and American side by side, and 
undistinguished. 

The wounded of both fleets, meeting with equal assiduous care, were 
sent to Erie, where Barclay was seen, with tottering steps, supported 
between Harrison and Perry, as he walked from the landing-place to his 
quarters. 

Perry crowned his victory by his modesty, forbearing to place his own 
services in their full light, and more than just to others. When, in the 
following year, he was rewarded by promotion to the rank of captain, he 
who had never murmured at promotion made over his own head, hesitated 
about accepting a preferment which might wound his seniors. 

The personal conduct of Perry throughout the tenth of September was 
perfect. His keenly sensitive nature never interfered with his sweetness 
of manner, his fortitude, the soundness of his judgment, the promptitude 
of his decision. In a state of impassioned activity, his plans were wisely 
framed, were instantly modified as circumstances changed, and were 
executed with entire coolness and self-possession. The mastery of the 
lakes, the recovery of Detroit and the Far West, the capture of the 
British army in the peninsula of Upper Canada, were the immediate fruits 
of his success. The imagination of the American people was taken cap- 
tive by the singular incidents of a battle in which everything seemed to 
have flowed from the personal prowess of one man ; and wherever he came 
the multitude went out to bid him welcome. Washington Irving, the 
chosen organ as it were of his country, predicted his ever increasing fame. 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 155 



Rhode Island cherishes his glory as her own; Erie keeps the tradition 
that its harbor was his ship-yard, its forests the storehouse for the frames 
of his chief vessels, its houses the hospitable shelter of the wounded among 
his crews; Cleveland graces her public square with a statue of the hero, 
wrought of purest marble, and looking out upon the scene of his glory; 
the tale follows the emigramt all the way up the Straits, and to the head 
of Lake Superior. Perry's career was short and troubled; he lives in 
the memory of his countrymen, clothed in perpetual youth, just as he stood 
when he saw that his efforts were crowned with success, and could say in 
his heart, *' We HAVE MET THE ENEMY AND THEY ARE OURS." 



156 State of New York 



BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 

Letter written by WlLLlAM V. Taylor, Sailing Master of the brig Lawrence 
at the battle of Lake Erie, September 10, 1813 

William Vigeron Taylor, at the time a Sailing Master in the United 
States Navy, was an officer in the fleet of gunboats commanded by Com- 
modore Oliver Hazard Perry, at Newport, Rhode Island, when the 
latter received orders to report to Commodore Isaac Chauncey at 
Sackett's Harbor, New York, for duty on Lake Erie. Taylor left New- 
port with a detachment of seamen, February 21, 1813, and upon reach- 
ing Erie, Pa., the fleet headquarters, was assigned to duty as Sailing 
Master and for a time was the next officer in rank to Perry. Upon the 
organization of the fleet he was attached with the same rank to the brig 
Lawrence, the original flagship. He served with credit and efficiency 
during the great battle of September 1 0th, and prior thereto was of 
invaluable assistance in preparing the fleet for active service. 

Taylor, who was of French descent, was promoted to Lieutenant, 
December 9, 1814, and to Commander, March 3, 1831. He became 
a Post Captain in September, 1841, and commanded the sloops Warren 
and Erie in the Gulf of Mexico. He was afterwards placed in com- 
mand of the ship-of-the-line Ohio and took her around Cape Horn to 
the Pacific. He went on the reserve list September 13, 1855, and died 
February 11,1 858. He was the father of Rear-Admiral William 
Rogers Taylor, United States Navy. 

The following letter, written by Taylor, October 17, 1813, with 
especial reference to the battle of Lake Erie, is of interest as coming from 
one who was in the thickest of the fight from its commencement to its close 
and was addressed to his brother Stephen : 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 157 



Erie. October 17, 1813. 

Deiar Stephen. — I have received your welcome letter from Newport and 
have observed with pleasure that you have with true brotherly affection kindly 
excused me for my neglect, although it was in some measure correct, for since I 
have been on this station all my time has been devoted to public service, not only 
from inclination to serve one of the best and bravest of men but in a great measure 
from necessity, as we have had few officers on the station and many of them very 
young and consequently the duty fell very heavy on me. 

You wish a correct statement of the battle. At daylight on the 1 0th September, 
at anchor in Put-in-Bay we saw the British squadron working to windward and 
toward us. We made the signal immediately to get under way, which was prompdy 
complied v^^ith. We took advantage of the wind and turn'd out to windward of 
Snake Island to gain the weather gauge. At about 9 A. M., weather'd away the 
island, bore up to run for the enemy — winds light — they observing we had 
gain'd the wind of them, hauled up their (word illegible) top G sails and most 
gallantly waited our approach in line of battle, confident of success as they have 
since stated. Just before the action commenced Captain Perrry produced a flag 
with these emphatical words on it in capital letters : " Don't give up the ship " — 
the dying words of the brave Lawrence — and asked the men if he hoisted it would 
they support it. They answer'd him with three rousing cheers. At 15 minutes 
before 1 2 they commenced firing at us from the Detroit, a fine new ship mounting 
long 24's, 1 8's and 1 2's. 

As our cannonade would not take effect at this distance we endeavor'd to close 
with them as quick as possible. At 12 opened our broadside on them, we being 
the leading vessel and flagship they were determined as they have since said to sink 
us — they nearly accomplish'd their purpose for when within short distance they 
opened a most tremendous and destructive fire on us from all their heaviest vessels. 
We sustained their fire 2'/^ hours — the Laivrence at this time presenting a picture 
too horrid for description — nearly the whole crew and officers and all prostrated 
on the deck, intermined with broken spars, riggins, sails and in fact one confused 
heap of horrid ruins. Some of the guns were dismounted and mounted five times 
in action — some of these guns were mann'd three different times in action. Captain 
Perry, finding he could not fire another gun or annoy the enemy in any shape from 
the Lawrence — he determined to leave her. 

He took down his private flag and bore it triumphantly to the Niagara amid 
showers of round, grape, cannister and musketry. I say triumphantly, for he must 
have been conscious no vessel recorded in the annals of naval history ever was fought 



158 State of New York 



better or more obstinately defended — few indeed remaining uninjured, and those 
few employ'd about the magazine and cockpit. When Captain Perry got on board 
the Niagara she had not a man either kill'd or wounded. He immediately made sail 
and carried her into action — directing Captain Elliot to bring up the small vessels 
and then indeed it was a proud moment for an American to see our gallant com- 
mander breaking through the enemy's line and forcing our proud foe to yield to 
American skill and bravery — not a single vessel escaped to tell the tale. I had 
forgot to inform you that shortly after Captain Perry got on board the Niagara we 
on board the Lawrence finding that we could not make any resistance to the enemy, 
fire still galling, we concluded from principles of humanity to haul down our colours 
and save the little remnant of our brave crew. Why we suffered so much and the 
Niagara and several other vessels little or none vnll be a subject for your private 
ear — suffice to say that it was a proud day for R. Island. Lieutenant Turner, a 
brother of the Doctor, was enabled to get his vessel into action although one of the 
dullest in the fleet. I had rather fight the best frigate in the British navy the same 
length of time v»rith the Lawrence than to fight the same battle over again. The 
British mounted 1 guns more than we and had 200 men more. I can say that I 
have been in one of the hardest battles ever fought on the water. The land about 
this country is becoming valuable — it is certainly a rich soil and from wild land to 
clear'd farms it can be purchased from 2 dollars to 12 per acre and the best 
inform'd people say that it will double in value in five years — the country is full 
of mill streams. Pittsburg is becoming an immense place from its many local 
advantages — two rich rivers water the town and forming the Ohio at the lower 
part of the place — this inexhaustible supply of water surrounding the tovm, prop- 
erty has risen from $500 to $20,000 in fifteen years — it is a manufacturing place 
and supplies all the western country. I shall be at home ere long and can give you 
more information. Give my love to Sally and Wm.. Mary and Jonathan Card, 
Susan and Hannah Weaver and all our relations, and believe me to be in reality. 

Your brother, 

Wm. V. Taylor. 



APPENDIX B 

THE PERRY MEMORIAL AT PUT-IN-BAY 

By 

Joseph Henry Freedlander 

Architect 



159 




HON. EDWARD H. BUTLER 
Cliaiiman, Citizens Reception Committee, Perry's 
Celebration, Buffalo, N. Y. 



Victory 





MEDAL 
Presented to Commodore Perry by the State of Pennsylvania. 

(Buffalo Ilishiriial Soiic/y Cdlhrliivis) 




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THE PERRY MEMORIAL AT PUT-IN-BAY 

By Joseph Henry Freedlander 
Architect 

THE SCHEME OF THE Perry Memorjal had its inception in a 
combination of remarkable historical events. It is a striking fact 
that England and America, two countries which have been at 
peace for a period of a hundred years, should purpose to definitely seal 
their friendship by means of a general treaty, the spirit of which shall 
insure to the English speaking races this final triumph of civilization. It 
has therefore seemed most fitting to embody in a memorial commemorative 
of Perry's victory at the battle of Lake Erie, cin expression of the treaty 
of arbitration about to be entered into between the two nations — an 
epoch-making event in the history of two great peoples of vast and signifi- 
cant moment. 

Exactly one hundred years after the last war it is proposed to enter into 
an arbitration treaty designed to insure everlasting peace. 

It was vnth this thought pregnant with good-vWll to mankind in mind 
that the Perry Memorial was conceived. Three elements in the com- 
position immediately suggested themselves: the shaft, the museum, and 
a statue flanked by a colonnade, typifying peace by arbitration. 

The composition was born in an instant — the shaft took the form of a 
great Doric column, with the museum on the left and the colonnade on the 
right. All were placed on a broad plaza elevated only slightly above 
the ground so that the entire memorial would appear to rise from the sea 
and be further enhanced by its reflections in the rippling waters. 

The column stands alone so that it may be seen over the water from 
all points of the compass and by its very height dominate the surrounding 

161 
11 



162 State of New York 



country. TTie museum and colonnade are distant from it some three 
hundred feet and thus will not obscure its perspective at any point. On 
the contrary its setting as the central motive in the composition will insure 
a degree of dignity impossible to obtciin were the other buildings placed in 
close proximity. The museum and colonnade in turn are placed on 
terraces at a slightly higher elevation than the meiin platform so that 
they may give grace and variety to the vista and their architectural setting 
be assured. . 

In view of the location of the site in so great an expanse of water and 
the necessarily isolated character which these conditions imply, the Doric 
order treated without ornament of any kind seemed best adapted to con- 
vey the impression of grandeur and simplicity which the memorial is 
intended to suggest. The plaza covers almost the entire site in length, 
and in width extends from the waters of Lake Erie to those of Put-in- 
Bay. Here it is reached by a broad flight of steps forming the main 
approach. Tlie shore drive runs through it, thus making it accessible to 
visitors both by land and by sea. A landing stage for small boats is 
provided at the bottom of the flight of steps. Besides insuring an 
architectural base for the general composition the plaza is intended to 
serve for exercises and ceremonies requiring the accommodation of large 
assemblages. Its extreme length is seven hundred and fifty feet and its 
width on the main central axis is four hundred and fifty-eight feet. It is 
twelve feet above mean high water while the terraces immediately sur- 
rounding the museum and the colonnade are elevated three feet more 
or fifteen feet above mean high water. The level of the roadway is 
elevated six feet above the water, a broad flight of steps leading down 
to it and in turn another flight continues to the water's edge. 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 163 

It is intended to plant such portions of the site not covered by the plaza 
with shrubs and to enclose the memorial in a setting of landscape garden- 
ing, by means of paths, lawns, borders and planting. The trees on the 
site are being carefully preserved so that their foliage may not only 
afford shade but enhance the general color scheme as well. 

The stone selected for the entire memorial is a white granite, extremely 
beautiful in texture and color and of a sufficiently delicate pink cast to 
temper it and to counteract the natural tendency of pure white stones to 
take on a bluish cast under the sky. Its geological composition is as 
nearly perfect as can be obtciined and it was selected after exhaustive 
mechanical tests on account of its hardness £md consequent great dura- 
bility, the latter quality being naturally an essential in the choice of 
material for a monument destined to last through the ages. In order 
to give it as brilliant a texture as possible it is tooled or channelled with 
fine vertical lines. This treatment has the same effect on granite cis the 
cutting of facets on precious stones and tends to produce a sparkle, 
brilliancy and play of light and shade extremely pleasing to the eye. 

The column forming the central motive of the memorial is surmounted 
by a massive bronze tripod, the bowl of which is illuminated by mean?: 
of a cluster of one hundred concealed incandescent lights. 

TTie height of the column measured from the level of the terrace to 
the top of the tripod is three hundred and thirty-five feet. The tripod 
is eighteen feet high, its greatest diameter is twenty feet and it will weigh 
eleven tons. It will be of solid bronze, cast and transported to the site in 
sections, and then riveted together on the grounds. An electric hoisting 
derrick will swing it in place on the top of the column, to which it will be 
bolted by means of steel angles built into the masonry. Special provision 
has been made in the design of the tripod to stiffen it structurally against 



164 State of New York 



wind pressure which in view of its elevation of over three hundred feet 
from the earth and the severity of the winter storms on the lakes is a 
most important consideration and a condition requiring careful cal- 
culation. The top of the bowl of the tripod is of frosted plate glass 
one-half inch thick, and will glow at night with the rays of innumerable 
incandescent lamps, installed underneath it. 

The foundations of the column as well as those of the museum and 
of the colonnade will rest directly on rock. At the inception of the work 
diamond-drill borings to ascertain the nature of the soil were made with 
the result that rock was found to underlie the entire site at levels of from 
ten to twenty feet below the surface. This made it possible to drive 
the forms for the concrete foundations directly to rock, and did away 
with the necessity of sinking caissons. The strata was found to be hard 
and homogeneous and of excellent bearing quality. 

The column is forty-five feet in diameter at the base and thirty-five at 
the neck, while the thickness of the walls at these points is nine feet 
and five feet respectively. The walls are built of granite ashlar or 
facing, backed up with concrete to a height of some eighty feet and con- 
tinued with brick to the top of the shaft. The diameter of the clear 
space in the interior of the column is twenty-five feet six inches. There 
are seventy-eight courses of stone in the height of the shaft. An interest- 
ing feature of the structural detail is the construction of the cap of the 
column. This has an overhang or projection at the angle of fifteen feet, 
measured on the diagonal. In order to hold the granite in place on the 
soffit or underside, forms are built, the stones, after being cut with keys on 
the upper surface, are laid on them and reinforced concrete poured until 
the whole becomes a homogeneous mass. After this has set the forms 
are removed and the stones dressed on the underside to an even surface. 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 165 

In the base of the column a memorial rotunda has been arranged. It 
is faced with Indiana limestone and is entered directly from the terrace 
by means of four bronze doors facing the cardinal points of the compass. 
TTie floor of this rotunda is three feet below the terrace level, four short 
flights of granite steps leading down to it. It is composed of a field of 
Tennessee marble with a centerpiece and border in color. The ceiling 
of the rotunda takes the form of a dome, from the center of which will 
hang a bronze lighting fixture. 

TTie remains of six British and American officers who took part 
and were killed in the battle will be moved from their present resting-place 
on the island and reinterred in the walls of the rotunda. Their names, as 
well as those of all others who fought at Lake Erie, will be carved in the 
stone panels. In the center of the rotunda it is purposed to place a bronze 
statue of Perry, to commemorate the most remarkable achievement in 
naval history, whereby a hitherto unknown naval officer, twenty-eight 
years old, saved for the United States all that great territory bordering 
the length of the Great Lakes. 

Two flights of granite stairs built in the thickness of the walls afford 
communication between the four entrance vestibules adjacent to the 
rotunda and the landing above it. At this level the elevator and stair- 
case start, and run to the top of the column. The staircase is built of 
reinforced concrete throughout its entire height of some two hundred and 
fifty feet. It runs around and is supported by four concrete columns and 
is composed of four hundred and sixty-seven steps. The elevator is 
bstalled in the staircase well and is of the high geared traction type. Its 
speed is two hundred and fifty feet per minute and it is capable of lifting 
twenty-five hundred pounds. It is fitted with every modern safety device 
including an apparatus which automatically precludes the car from mov- 



166 State of New York 



ing until the doors of the shaft are closed. The trip from the lower to the 
upper landing is made in one minute. From the upper platform a door 
leads to the outside parapet, concealed in the cap of the column. From 
this parapet forming a promenade three hundred feet above the terrace 
level a magnificent view of the surrounding country is obtained. The 
panoramic scene presented by the waters of the lake is imposing and 
wonderfully beautiful at all times of the day, while at night the impression 
conveyed by the intense quiet and the twinkling of innumerable lights is 
fairy-like and reminiscent of the star-lit lagoons of the Adriatic. A 
glass dome and ventilators at the top of the column provide light and 
air, while in addition the entire interior of the shaft is lined with a light 
colored face brick, terminating at the bottom in a white tile base. TTie 
column, as well as the museum, the colonnade and the terrace is lit 
electrically throughout, and is provided with inter-communicating and 
general telephone systems. All of the buildings are of fireproof con- 
struction and built of non-combustible materials — not a single piece of 
wood is used in any part of the work. 

The museum is to house a collection of Perryana as well as such arms, 
books, paintings, engravings and relics which pertain to the period and are 
reminiscent of the war of 1812. The building including the portico 
along the length of the principal facade is eighty-five feet long and sixty- 
four feet wide. Its height from the level of the terrace is forty-two feet 
and the columns of the portico are twenty-three feet high. In the interior 
the large exhibition hall extends throughout the entire height of the build- 
ing and has a gallery supported on columns running around it on all four 
sides. The treatment of the interior will be in stone and the columns of 
" breche violette " marble. The gallery will be lighted from above by 
means of a large skylight and on the rear rooms for the curator, for the 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 167 

catalogue and a council room for meetings of the Interstate Board are 
arranged. At the two ends of the gallery decorative paintings illustrative 
of the battle of Lake Erie will be set in place. A frieze of panels carved 
in the granite and bearing the shields of the forty-eight States of the 
Union will run around the entire facade. 

The colonnade forming a pendant to the museum at the right of the 
column will enclose on three sides a statue typifying " Peace by Arbitra- 
tion." The height of the columns of the colonnade will be the same as 
those of the Museum, thus preserving a synmietrical sky-line. The open 
space enclosed within the colonnade v^ll be laid out in the manner of a 
formal garden, bisected by a pathway terminating at either end in a 
fountain built in the walls. From the garden level a broad flight of steps 
leads to the terrace. In the center of the flight and on the main axis 
of the structure the statue and pedestal will be placed. TTie figure is 
seated and both in action and expression portrays that calm dignity and 
serenity illustrative of the abundant blessings which will acrue to those 
nations who shall have made themselves custodians of universal peace. 

The statue will be of heroic size, cast in bronze, and about fifteen feet 
in height. 

A detail requiring careful study and of much interest in the design of 
the memorial has been the provision made for the correction of the per- 
spective by means of asymmetric curves. The long flight of steps for 
instance would appear to sag in the center if they were made straight or 
horizontal. Therefore they are built with a convex curve, that is to say 
they are some four inches higher at the center than at the ends. TTius in 
execution they will appear perfectly level. In the same manner the ter- 
race surrounding the shaft is raised in the center and lower at the ends — 
otherwise the column would appear to depress it and it would produce the 



168 State of New York 



effect of resting in a concave dish. Similarly every vertical or horizontal 
surface of the entire group has been corrected by means of carefully cal- 
culated curvatures. 

To tie together the three elements of the composition there will be laid 
out on the main terraces and in the spaces between the column and the 
flanking buildings a scheme of landscape gardening whose main feature 
will consist of a green-sward one hundred and fifty feet long and seventy- 
five feet wide. At either side two granite walks will be built leading 
from the museum and colonnade terraces to the plaza surrounding the 
column. These in turn will be bordered with shrubs, bay-trees, flower 
beds, and other accessories which go to make up a garden wherein the 
public may find shelter and repose and a restful lounging place. Four 
large vases at the center terrace and smaller ones at the ends will serve to 
embellish the general layout and at either end of the steps leading from 
the water's edge a bronze standard bearing the national flag will be 
erected. Furthermore in deference to the naval character of the memorial 
it is proposed to use as attributes in the treatment of the grounds bronze 
cannon, mortars and anchors presented by the Navy Department. 

This is in brief a description of the salient features of the memorial. 
Erected to commemorate the valor and courage of a great commander 
and an epoch-making event in the history of the United States — it shall 
have doubly fulfilled its mission if, down through the ages, it shall stand 
— the first milestone on the high-road of everlasting peace. 

J. H. Freedlander. 

(From the Souvenir Programme, Interstate Board. Perry's Victory Centennial 
Gjnunissioncrs.) 



APPENDIX C 

THE INTERSTATE BOARD 

of the 

PERRVS VICTORY CENTENNIAL COMMISSIONERS 



169 



THE INTERSTATE BOARD OF THE PERRY'S VICTORY 
CENTENNIAL COMMISSIONERS 

THE Interstate Board of the Perry's Victory Centennial Com- 
missioners was organized September 10, 1910. The membership 
consists of the Commissioners appointed by the President of the 
United States and the Governors of the several states participating, by 
authority of law, in the erection of the Perry Memorial at Put-in Bay, 
South Bass Island, Lake Erie, Ohio, and in the celebration of the one 
hundredth anniversary of the battle of Lake Erie. The personnel of 
this organization at the time of the Centennial celebration, with its sub- 
divisions for practical operations, was as follows : 

General Officers 

President-General, George H. Worthington, Cleveland, Ohio; First 
Vice-President-General, Henry Watterson, Louisville, Ky. ; Secretary- 
General, Webster P. Huntington, Cleveland, Ohio; Treasurer-General, 
A. E. Sisson, Erie, Pa.; Auditor-General, Harry Cutler, Providence, 
R. I. ; Financial Secretary, Mackenzie R. Todd, Frankfort, Ky. 

State Vice-Presidents 

The states hereinafter mentioned are named in the order in which 
they entered upon the enterprise by the appointment of Commissioners. 
The State vice-presidents were as follows: Ohio, Horace Holbrook; 
Pennsylvania, Edwin H. Vare; Michigan. Roy S. Barnhart; Illinois. 

171 



172 State of New York 

General Philip C. Hayes; Wisconsin, Rear-Admiral F. M. Symonds, 
U. S. N., Ret.; New York, William Simon; Rhode Island, Sumner 
Mowry; Kentucky, Colonel Andrew Cowan; Minnesota, W. H. 
Wescott; Louisiana, W. O. Hart. 

Committees 

(N. B. The President-General is a member ex-oficio, and the Secretary-General 
is Secretary, of all committees.) 

TTie Executive Committee was composed of the general officers, the 
United States Commissioners and the following State Conmiissioners : 
Ohio, John H. Clarke; Pennsylvania, Milton W. Shreve; Michigan, 
George W. Parker; Illinois, William H. TTiompson; Wisconsin, A. W. 
Sanborn; New York, Clinton B. Herrick, M. D.; Rhode Island, John 
P. Sanborn; Kentucky, Mackenzie R. Todd; Minnesota, J. Edward 
Meyers. 

Sub-committee of the Executive Committee: The general officers. 
United States Commissioner J. Warren Keifer, the Chairman of the 
Committee on Legislation, Promotion and Publicity, the Chairman of 
the Committee on Centennial Celebration, the Chairman of the Com- 
mittee on the Put-in Bay Celebration, and the Financial Secretary. 

Building Committee: President-General George H. Worthington, 
chairman; First Vice-President-General Henry Watterson; United 
States Commissioner Nelson A. Miles. 

Committee on Legislation, Promotion and Publicity: Commissioner 
A. E. Sisson, chairman; Commissioners Todd, Winkler, Hayes, Emer- 
son, Whitehead and Cutler. 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 173 

Committee on Centennial Celebration: Commissioner Milton W. 
Shreve, chairman; Commissioners Mooney, Parker, Wells, Herrick, 
Wescott, Perry of Illinois, Wilson euid Davis of Rhode Island. 

Committee on the Put-in Bay Celebration: Commissioner John P. 
Sanborn, chairman; Commissioners Whitehead and Parker. 

Committee on Souvenirs: Commissioners Sisson and Cutler. 

Commissioners 

For the United States Government: Lieutenant-General Nelson A. 
Miles, U. S. A.. Ret., Rear-Admiral Charles H. Davis, U. S. N.. Ret.. 
Washington, D. C. ; General J. Warren Keifer, Springfield, Ohio. 

Ohio: John H. Clarke, George H. Worthington, Cleveland; S. M. 
Johannsen, Put-in Bay; Eli Winkler, Nicholas Longworth, Cincinnati; 
Horace Holbrook, Warren; William C. Mooney, Woodsfield; Horace 
L. Chapman, Columbus; George W. Dun, Toledo. (Webster P. 
Huntington, Secretary, Cleveland.) 

Pennsylvania: A. E. Sisson, Milton W. Shreve, Erie; Edwin H. 
Vare, Philadelphia; T. C. Jones, McKeesport; George W. Neff. M. D.. 
Masontown. 

Michigan : George W. Parker, John C. Lodge, Detroit ; Arthur P. 
Loomis, Lansing; Roy S. Barnhart, Grand Rapids; E. K. Warren, 
TTiree Oaks. 

Illinois: William H. Thompson, James Pugh, Richard S. Folsom, 
Nelson W. Lampert, Adam Weckler, Chesley R. Perry, William 
Porter Adams, Willis J. Wells. Chicago; General Philip C. Hayes. 
Joliet; W. H. Mcintosh. Rockford; H. S. Bekemeyer, Springfield. 



1 74 State of New York 

Wisconsin: Rear-Admiral Frederick M. Symonds, U. S. N., Ret., 
Galesville; John M. Whitehead, Janesville; A. W. Sanborn, Ashland; 
C. B. Perry, Wauwatosa; S. W. Randolph, Manitowoc; Louis Bohni- 
rich, Milwaukee; Sol P. Huntington, Green Bay. (Joseph McC. 
Bell, Secretary, Milwaukee.) 

New York: William J. Conners, George D. Emerson, William 
Simon, John F. Malone, Edward D. Jackson, Buffalo; Simon L. 
Adler, Rochester; Martin H. Glynn. Albany; Clinton B. Herrick, 
M. D.. Troy; William F. Rafferty, Syracuse; William L. Ormrod. 
Churchville; Jacob Schifferdecker, Brooklyn. 

Rhode Island: John P. Sanborn, Newport; Louis N. Arnold. 
Westerly; Sumner Mowry, Peace Dale; Henry E. Davis, Woonsocket; 
Harry Cutler, Providence. 

Kentucky: Colonel Henry Watterson, Colonel Andrew Cowan, 
Louisville; Samuel M. Wilson. Lexington; Colonel R. W. Nelson. 
Newport; Mackenzie R. Todd, Frankfort. 

Minnesota: J. Edward Meyers. Minneapolis; W. H. Wescott, 
Rosemount; Ralph W. Wheelock. St. Paul; Milo B. Price. Owatonna; 
Clyde Kelly. Duluth. 

Louisiana: W. O. Hart. Dr. H. Dickson Bruns. New Orleans; 
A. A. Gunby, Monroe. 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 175 



THE PRISCILLA 
A most interesting adjunct of the Interstate Board was the handsome 
and well equipped yacht of President General Worthington. the Priscilla. 
Many meetings were held on the deck of this yacht and in memory of 
these occasions the following lines by the Secretary General, Webster P. 
Huntington, seem most appropriate: 

PRISCILLA 

Fair queen of the waters, dear pride of the lake, 

TTiou dauntless, majestic Priscilla, 
There is joy in thy wings and peace in thy wake, 

Priscilla, Priscilla, Priscilla f 
Where the white caps, pursuing the sprite of the deep. 
Ride away to the shores where the blue billows leap. 
Thou shall thrill me with pleasure or rock me to sleep. 

In the heart of thy waves, Priscilla! 

Oh, the toasts that were quaffed and the tales that were told 

In the shade of thy Sciils, Priscilla. 
Thy prow toward the sunset of purple and gold, 

Priscilla, Priscilla, Priscilla! 
The skies of the Northland were never so blue. 
The faith of good friendship w£is never so true. 
And just doing nothing ne'er so easy to do. 

As borne on thy breezes, Priscilla! 

TTie memory dwells on thy generous board, 

Beguiler of men, O Priscilla! 
When the Commodore carved — likewise frequently poured — 

Priscilla, Priscilla, Priscilla! 
When we fought Perry's Victory over, rough-shod, 
From the Lake to the Bay and from Sisson to Todd — 
Lord help the landlubber son of the sod 

Who shared not the conflict, Priscilla! 



176 State of New York 



Somewhere there may be fairer days than I've known 

On the crest of thy sea, Priscillal 
Somewhere there may be brighter joys than thine own, 

Priscilla, Priscilla, Priscilla! 
Somewhere sweeter romance, somewhere truer souls. 
Somewhere better zweiback, somewhere deeper bowls; 
But not on this side of where Old Jordan rolls. 

As sure as thou sailest, Priscilla/ 

They say on the wings of an Infinite Mom, 

Past the blue of thy skies, Priscilla, 
Are the hosts of immortals triumphantly borne, 

Priscilla, Priscilla, Priscilla! 
But when the last tnunpet blows over the sea. 
You may count on the comrades, who, like unto me. 
Will hang up their harps and sail on with thee. 

To the end of the voyage, Priscilla! 



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PERRY'S VICTOR^- MEMENTOS 

[Biiffulo Ilislonail Soacly Collections) 

Engravings of the battle of Lake Erie of date 1815, keys to same, pieces 

of wood from the flagships Niagara and Lawrence and 

musket chest from the Lawrence. 




CAPTAIN WILLIAM L. MORRISON, N. F. P. 
Commanding U. S. S. " Wolvenne " 



APPENDIX D . 

Address by the Hon. John M. Whitehead, of Wisconsin. Member of 
Wisconsin Perry's Victory Centennial Commission, at the Laying of the 
Corner-Stone of the Perry Memorial, Put-in-Bay. July 4. 1913. 



177 



12 



ADDRESS BY THE HON. JOHN M. WHITEHEAD OF 

WISCONSIN 

Member of Wisconsin Perry's Victory Centennial Commission, at the laying of the 
corner stone of the Perry Memorial, Put-in-Bay, July 4, 1913. 

SEVERAL YEARS AGO we entered upon an era of centennials of great 
events and of the births of great men. We were about to close 
a century since Perry's victory. Should it pass unnoticed? If 
not who should first move to secure a fitting observance? 

The great lake states had a common concern that the event be 
properly celebrated. The scene of the battle and the burial place of 
the dead from the ships engaged was within the State of Ohio. It was 
fitting that Ohio act first and she did. She said: " It shall be done. 
The valorous deed shall be kept in mind forever. The beloved dead 
shall not be forgotten ; " and she called in the other great lake states to 
share with her in the noble enterprise. 



New York has answered it shall be done. The second city of the 
Empire State has had a grand career upon this historic lake and her 
youth has not yet passed. She is of virgin freshnes* and beauty in the 
charming abode of peace and prosperity which she has been able to 
build during these hundred years of peace. 



All hail, Ohio! All hail, Pennsylvania! All hail, Wisconsin! All 
hail. New York! All hail, Michigan! All hail, Illinois! The love of 

179 



180 State of New York 

the good, the true and the brave have not died out and they shall not 
be allowed to die out in the region that was saved to the stars and stripes 
by Perry's victory on Lake Erie. 

ft- * * * 

War was declared June 18, 1812. 



In the fall of 1812, when the country did finally realize the importance 
of the great lakes and the need of a lake navy. Captain Isaac Chauncey, 
who had distinguished himself in the Barbary war, was ordered by the 
naval department to take command of Lakes Erie and Ontario and to 
build fleets, September 3, 1812. He had been at the head of the 
Brooklyn Navy Yard. He was an experienced seaman, a dozen years 
the senior of Perry. He had been trained in the merchant service and 
entered the navy at twenty-six as a lieutenant. Congress had voted him 
a sword for his gallantry in the war against the Barbary pirates. He 
was an officer well qualified for his new and arduous position. 

He devoted himself to his work at Sackett's Harbor on Lake Ontario. 
At that time there were on Lake Erie but three or four small craft and 
none on the upper lakes belonging to the United States. The British 
had quite a number of vessels of one hundred tons emd over, employed 
mostly by the Northwest Fur Company. 

Captain Daniel Dobbins of Pennsylvania had visited Lake Erie as 
early as 1 796 with a party of surveyors. He had fitted out and had 
commanded for many years a small vessel and was one of the most 
experienced navigators of the lakes of his day. He too was a young 
man, nine years older than Perry. When war was declared he was at 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 181 

Mackinac, an American fort which the Canadians and Indians had 
taken by surprise, our government having neglected to notify the fortress 
of the war. Dobbins here lost his vessel, and after many hair-breadth 
escapes arrived at Lake Erie late in August. Detroit had surrendered 
on the 16th and he was immediately despatched by General Mead to 
Washington with information. After a day's examination before the 
cabinet in regard to the ports and commerce on Lake Erie and the best 
place for a naval depot and shipyard he was tendered a sailing master's 
warrant in September, 1812, and ordered to commence building three 
gunboats and report his doings to Commodore Chauncey on Lake 
Ontario. Two days after his return to Erie, viz., September 26th, he 
cut the first stick of timber for the fleet himself, and employed such car- 
penters and shipbuilders in that region as could be found. Chauncey 
arrived late in December with master-builder Eckford who furnished 
models for two twenty gun brigs. 



Perry's squadron consisted of two twenty gun brigs, the Larvrence 
and the Niagara; four schooners, the Ariel, carrying four guns, the 
Scorpion, two guns, and the Porcupine and Tigress, each carrying one 
gun — all built in the harbor of Erie; the Caledonia, three guns, which 
Lieutenant Elliott had captured the preceding October; the Somers, two, 
and the Ohio and Trippe, one gun each, these three last named vessels 
had been bought — ten vessels in all with fifty-five guns, mostly short 
range, having a total broadside of 936 pounds. Before the battle one 
of the ten. the Ohio, had been sent on special duty to another part of 
the lake and it was not therefore brought into action and the total broad- 
side of Perry's fleet by so much reduced. 



182 State of New York 

Barclay's squadron was made up of two ships — the Detroil, nineteen 
guns, and the Queen Charlolle, seventeen; two brigs, the Lad^ Prevost. 
thirteen, the Hunter, ten ; one schooner, the Chippeiva, one long gun, and 
one sloop, the Little Bell, three guns — six vessels in all, carrying sixty- 
three guns, mostly long range, with a broadside of 459 pounds. 

TTiere has been controversy over the relative strength of the two fleets. 
There are plain differences, no doubt. 



The main fact of present interest for this occasion is that there was a 
hot fight and that Perry won it, thereby retrieving to the United States 
its lost territory, restoring the American flag to staffs from which the 
year before it had been hauled down, sweeping the British from the 
lakes and rendering possible land campaigns that soon ended the war. 
Whatever may be said of equality or inequality of the two fleets it was 
a battle of brave men on both sides and Perry triumphed. This triumph 
we celebrate. The words of Perry " We have met the enemy and they 
are ours " have ever since been a proverb among our people. 



At three o'clock in the afternoon the battle was over. The roar of 
cannon ceased, the blue vapor of the battle was swept away by the breeze 
and the two squadrons were intermingled. 

When Perry's eye perceived at a glance that victory was secure, he 
wrote in pencil, on the back of an old letter, resting it upon his navy 
cap, that remarkable dispatch to General Harrison whose first clause has 
been so often quoted : 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 183 



We have met the enemy and they are ours, two ships, two brigs, one schooner 
amd one sloop. Yours with great respect and esteem. 

O. H. Perry. 

A few minutes afterward he wrote to the Secretary of the Navy as 
follows : 

U. S. Brig Niagara, off the Western Sister, 

Head of Lake Erie, September 10. 4 p. M. 
Sir : — It has pleased the Almighty to give to the arms of the United States a 
signal victory over their enemies on this lake. The British squadron, consisting of 
two ships, two brigs, one schooner and one sloop, have this moment surrendered 
to the force under my command after a sharp conflict. 

I have the honor to be. Sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

O. H. Perry. 

Honorable WiLLlAM JONES, 

Secretary of the Navy. 



The personal conduct of Perry throughout the 1 0th of September was 
perfect. His keenly sensitive nature never interfered with his sweetness 
of manner, his fortitude, the soundness of his judgment, the promptitude 
of his decision. In a state of impassioned activity, his plans were wisely 
framied, were instantly modified as circumstances changed and were 
executed with entire coolness and self-possession. Perry had been ill 
with lake fever before the battle and his body was racked with fever 
at the very time he was sustaining the strain of the day. When it was 
all over, exhausted nature claimed rest. He turned into his cot and 
slept as sweetly and quietly as a child. 



184 State of New York 

On the 12th an opening on the mcirgin of Put-in-Bay was selected 
for the interment of the bodies of the three British and three American 
officers killed in the battle. The remnants of the crews of both fleets 
attended the burial. It was a beautiful Sabbath morning. TTie proces- 
sion of boats, the neat appearance of the officers and men, music, the slow 
and regulated motion of the oars striking in exact time with the solemn 
notes of the dirge, the mournful waving of flags, the sound of the minute 
guns of the ships in the harbor, and the wild and solemn spell of the place, 
the stillness of nature, gave to the scene a melancholy grandeur better felt 
than described. All acknowledged its influence, all were sensibly affected. 
The Americans and the British walked in alternate couples to the grave 
like men who in the presence of eternity renewed the relation of brothers 
and members of one human family, and the bodies of the dead were 
likewise borne along and buried alternately, English and American, side 
by side and undistinguished. There these brave men have slept for a 
century and it is now proposed that their remains shall be removed in 
solemn state from their humble sepulcher to the crypt to be prepared in 
the memorial which is to be erected upon this cornerstone. 
The names of the officers buried there are as follows: 
Lieutenant Brooks and Midshipmen Laub and Clark of the American 
service ; and Captain Finnis and Lieutenants Garden and Garland of the 

British service. 

* * ♦ ♦ 

"A Short History of the United States Navy " came from the press 
a year ago. It was written by Captain George H. Clarke of the navy, 
assisted by three of the instructors of the United States Naval Academy, 
as a text-book for midshipmen, and I quote an interesting and wholesome 
passage : 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 185 



" The extravagant praise of Perry in American histories, criticized by Roose- 
velt, is due to the melodramatic features of the battle, which appealed to the 
popular imagination, the heroic resistance of the Laurence, the passage of Perry 
in an open boat to the Niagara and the sudden turning of the tide of victory. His 
fame should rest, rather, upon the hopeless days when the timbers of his future 
ships were still growing in the forest. In a word Perry's work on Lake Erie 
attests the fact that what counts in an officer's career is not the spectacular event 
which appeals to the public, but the quiet, yet tireless energy, the sound judgment 
and the farsightedness that always precede, and sometimes follow a successful 
battle." 

* * * * 

There was among the younger officers of Chauncey's command Jesse 
D. Elliott, about three years older than Perry. He was from Pennsyl- 
vania and had been trained for the bar. He entered the navy in 1804 
and became lieutenant in 1810. Captain Chauncey dispatched Lieu- 
tenant Elliott to take charge on Lake Erie. September 7. 1812, and 
establish a naval base at Buffalo. On the 14th Elliott reached Buffalo. 
He first built a temporary navy yard at Black Rock and there rudely 
equipped some schooners which he had bought. He captured from the 
British the brigs Caledonia and Detroit and brought the former into 
Black Rock, while the latter, having run aground as he attempted to 
bring her in, had to be fired. The gain of the Caledonia was encourag- 
ing, the failure to bring in the Detroit was disappointing; but it is certain 
that Elliott thus made a beginning of a lake navy and that his industry 
and efficiency helped to lay a foundation for Perry's later success. 

The services of Lieutenant Elliott on Lake Erie before Perry's 
arrival have been rather discredited because of the prejudice against 
him due to his strange conduct during the battle, when he was in com- 



186 State of New York 



mand of the Niagara; but as nothing need be detracted from Perry's 
fame to do full justice to Elliott, more recent writers are inclined to drop 
the controversy that followed the battle and allow Elliott full credit for 
whatever he had done that was praiseworthy and excuse his conduct in 
the battle as an error of judgment and as due to lack of initiative. We 
are at least bound to be as patient Vfilh Elliott as Perry was, when he 
came aboard the Niagara, ran up his pennant, took command and dis- 
patched Elliott to bring up the lagging gunboats. 



Not long after the battle, in a spirited biographical sketch of Com- 
modore Perry, Washington Irving wrote : 

" The last roar of cannon that died away along her shores was the expiring note 
of British domination. Those vast internal seas will perhaps never again be the 
separating space between contending nations, but will be embosomed within a 
mighty empire, and this victory which decided their fate, will stand unrivaled and 
alone, deriving lustre and perpetuity from its singleness. In future times, when 
the shores of Erie shall hum with busy population; when towns and cities shall 
brighten where now extends the dark and tangled forests; when ports shall spread 
their arms, and lofty barks shall ride where now the canoe is fastened to the stake; 
when the present age shall have grown into venerable antiquity, and the mists of 
fable begin to gather around its history, then will the inhabitants look back to this 
battle we record as one of romantic achievement of the days of yore. It will stand 
first on the page of their local legends and in the marvelous tales of the border." 

" Tales of the border ! " How far away it seems to us at this moment ! 
TTiousands of us have gathered together on this occasion in the midst of 
this thickly populated section of the United States, and yet these words 
of the gifted writer tell a tale of the border which existed a century ago. 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 187 



" Tales of the border! " What border? The extreme border of western 
civilization. At that time the principal town of the great lakes was 
Buffalo, a place of about five hundred inhabitants, consisting of about 
one hundred painted houses of wood, with stores cmd taverns. 

Next in importance was Detroit with its fort and high stockade and 
about a thousand souls. In between, along the southern shore of Lake 
Erie were other small towns, hardly more than settlements; Erie with 
about thirty houses; Cleveland, with sixteen and the small Indian settle- 
ment destined to become the flourishing city of Sandusky. 

All told, in 1813 there was a population in Pennsylvania, Ohio, 
Indiana and Michigan of a little over a million souls. The present 
states of Illinois and Wisconsin were not enumerated in the census of 
1810, and the 5,000 credited to Michigan at that time were the estimates 
of Governor Hull and doubtless included the migratory fur traders. 



Along and around this chain of lakes there are today between thirty- 
five and forty million souls. On Lake Erie. Buffalo has grown to be a 
city of 423,715; Cleveland of 560,663; Detroit of 465,766; and Erie. 
Sandusky and Toledo are cities of from twenty to two hundred thousand 
population. 

♦ ♦ * * 

The shores of Lake Michigan are lined with the thriving cities of 
Michigan and Wisconsin. Milwaukee has 373,857 souls. At the foot 
of Lake Michigan is the wonder of wonders, Chicago, the second city 
in the United States and fourth in the world. On September 10, 1813, 
the city of Chicago consisted of two houses. 



188 State of New York 

The progress of the century in this great expanse of territory has not 
been recorded merely upon the shores of these great lakes. There are 
inland cities in all these states, scores of them, ranidng in size from a few 
thousand to nearly half a million. But the life of all our people is not 
lived in the cities and towns in this great lake region. There are thou- 
sands of farms of the finest quality that have been developed throughout 
these great states during the past century, producing for the year 1912: 
1.073,128,000 bushels of corn; 139.941,000 bushels of wheat; and 
216,41 7,000 bushels of potatoes — nearly a billion and a half bushels 
of our staple food products. 

TTiis reference to our cities and towns illustrates the material progress 
of the land which Perry saved for the United States. 

The city of Buffalo with ardent appreciation of the romance of lake 
navigation, times her celebration near the anniversary of the first voyage 
of the pioneer ship of the lakes, named the Griffon, which was built just 
above Niagara Falls for La Salle. She is supposed to have started on 
her western voyage from Black Rock harbor (near Buffalo) August 
7. 1 679. Ralph G. Plumb, in his " History of Navigation on the 
Great Lakes " graphically describes the launching of this ship amidst 
the singing of Te Deums, her tow down to Black Rock harbor, her 
outfitting there for her commander. La Salle, with five cannon and small 
arms, and her momentous western trip. She reached Detroit in four 
days; she safely crossed Lake Huron; she was welcomed to Mackinac 
by booming cannon. She pursued her way in safety and reached Green 
Bay in September. The vessel was sent back with the cargo he had 
collected, to return with supplies for himself and his party. But the 
craft met an untimely fate. The manner of her disappearance was 
never knowm. 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 189 

The War of 1812 was the last between the United States and the 
mother country. Great Britain, and the celebration which begins today 
is in honor not only of a battle and its heroes, be it remembered, but 
of a hundred years of peace between the mother country and the pros- 
perous and fortunate daughter. TTiis is of itself a great and inspiring 
fact to be brought home to the minds of all citizens, young and old, of 
the present day. This celebration should mark the beginning of other 
centuries not less peaceful. We are far enough away now from the 
inevitable prejudices of the day of conflict between the two great sea 
captains at Put-in Bay to join hands with the British people in the 
celebration of a hundred years of peace. We can pay a well-deserved 
tribute to their brave men who fought against our brave men as they in 
turn have in notable instances already done to some of the land fighters 
of that war whom we idolize. They lost the battle of Lake Erie, but 
not their manhood. The British have always been a people of courage, 
of hardihood and of patient endeavor. Simultaneously on the other side 
of the lakes, our neighbors have encountered frontier difficulties as 
appalling as any that have confronted our progenitors on this side, and 
they have won triumphs as enduring as any that brighten the pages of 
our history. They have subdued forests and drained swamps as places 
for their habitation; they have subjected rivers and lakes to the uses of 
their industry and commerce; they have opened their territory to settle- 
ment with transcontinental railroads; they have built towns and villages 
and imposing cities; they have established and equipped schools and 
colleges for the education of their citizenship and institutions for dis- 
pensing their generous charities. TTiey have both their social and in- 
tellectual centers and their centers of industrial and manufacturing 



190 State of New York 



activities. As a people they have developed a type of character that 
we of this side of the great lakes may most hopefully and profitably 
emulate. We have strife with Canada today, not on the field of battle, 
nor on the man-of-war, but in the market-place, in the highways of com- 
merce, for the trophies of peace and in the field of high intellectual 
endeavor for the prizes of literature and science and art and charity. 
We both forget the past and face the future. 

* * * * 

Our minds will be turned also, if we view aright the lessons of the 
celebration and the Memorial ceremonies that shall engage our thought 
with reference to the heroes who died in this war, who were massacred 
in ambush, who were killed in the land battles, who died in the camp 
and on the march, during the terrible campaigns of the war, to the 
incomparably greater number of men and women who, after the victory, 
gave up their lives in the making of the country which Perry's 
victory saved. The brave fellows shot to death on the decks of these 
nine vessels on that September day were but an earnest of the unnumbered 
thousands of the devoted pioneers who were soon to come to the northwest 
in a ceaseless rush in the years following the famous victory and give up 
their lives, not in a moment of agony in battle, though such was the fate 
of myriads who died in the defence of their all, but in a life long struggle 
with hardship and sickness and toil, as they (slowly, as it then seemed 
to them; tremendously quickly, as it now seems to us) brought all this 
wild country into subjection and into the condition which we have 
always known and which now has so little to remind us of the pioneer 
and his life and experience when Perry was sailing out from Put-in- 
Bay to fight the battle that was to settle the destiny of all this northwest. 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 191 

" We must learn to feel," as one of our leading scholars and leaders 
of thought has well Sciid, " both as individuals and as communities, that 
we have a place in history, that we stand in a long succession of men 
who have inherited principles and ideals from our fathers and who are 
to transmit to our children those principles and those ideals in greater 
fullness and strength. When we can really feel that we and those about 
us are a part of a great movement of human life from age to age, then, 
and not till then, do we feel the best of inspirations — that which comes 
of working for all time. 

We must learn to get hold of the best traditions of the past and really 
work them into our lives, because by this means we can get hold of ideas 
for the future which will make life worth living." 



The war of 1812 was picturesque, bloody, often barbarous, but not 
without sentiment. It was at times most perilous to the stability of the 
government of the United States, the peril arising quite as much from 
the internal dissensions of the people as from the external danger from 
the enemy. Its issues, in so far as they were really settled, related in the 
first instance to the west. Its results were at once most beneficial to the 
west, but in the long run the country as a whole gained much. It ended 
for all time the talk about the restoration of British sovereignty over the 
American states; it cemented the union of states more closely and secured 
time for the development of national spirit to such a degree of strength 
that when subsequent attempts were made to dissolve the Union, the Union 
had become so great that it could not be dissolved by debate nor by 
agreement nor could it be dismembered by the terrible shock of civil war. 



192 State of New York 

Franklin said after the close of the Revolution that the country needed a 
second war for Independence. The War of 1812 served well to supply 
that need. It has so been mentioned in history, but strange to relate none 
of the putative causes of the war were adjusted in the treaty of Ghent. 
Great Britain did not agree, for instance, to cease impressing Americeui 
seamen. Still the war did actually settle this question, for no seeimen 
were ever afterwards impressed. Some other questions, boundaries and 
fisheries for example, were left to be settled formally later, though prac- 
tically they were settled when Barclay surrendered to Perry. 

The second War for Independence was, therefore, not wholly in vain 
from an international and diplomatic standpoint, for the United States 
was thereafter in the eyes of England, and Europe as well, an independ- 
ent nation competent and able to take care of herself and protect her 
citizens and their interests; and in her own estimation a Union of states 
one and inseparable, a nation among nations, a united people, wdth a com- 
mon heritage of liberty and institutions and country and a common destiny 
to be attained. 




ELISHA P. HUSSEY. M. D. 
Commodore, Buffalo Yacht Club, 1913 




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COMMODORE GEORGE H. WORTHINGTON 

President General. Interstate Board, Perry's Victory 
Centennial Commissioners 



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APPENDIX E 

AMERICA'S MESSAGE TO THE NATIONS 

Address by Dr. James A. MacDonaLD, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; at the 
celebration of the Centennial of the Battle of Lake Erie, Put-in-Bay, Ohio, 
September 10, 1913. 



1»3 



13 



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AMERICA'S MESSAGE TO THE NATIONS 

Address by Dr. James A. MacDonald, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; at the 
celebration of the centennieil of the battle of Lake Erie, Put-in-Bay, Ohio. 
September 10, 1913. 

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO TODAY, within sight of the spot where 
we now stand, cind at this very hour, was being fought the battle 
of Lake Erie. 

In the light of modern naval warfare, judged by the standard of the 
superdreadnought and the submcirine, of the airship and the fourteen 
inch giui, that battle was a small affair. Nine small sailing vessels on 
one side, six on the other, not more than three out of the fifteen being 
of any account even in that day, and not a thousand men all told, of 
whom the major part were not seamen at all, such were the forces that 
met in the battle of Lake Erie. One gun from a modern man-of-war 
would throw more metal in one charge than their entire broadsides and 
would shatter both fleets in the twmkling of an eye. 

As a struggle between man and man, and an incident of the war in 
which it formed a part, the battle of Lake Erie has its own interest and 
its own importance. It deserves to be remembered. In the heroism 
displayed, heroism on both sides, heroism in the seasoned sailors, heroism 
among the raw men from the shore, it is worthy of a place of high honor 
in these centennial celebrations. Like the equally decisive battles in 
which the Canadians were victorious, the battles of Chrysler's Farm and 
of Chateaugay, this battle of Lake Erie, which gave victory to the 
Americans, had in it incidents of valor and endurance on both sides, of 
which neither country needs to be ashamed. 

195 



196 State of New York 



The Lessons of the War 

In the light of the hundred years through which we of today read the 
story of that one battle, and of that whole war, the lesson, the supreme 
and the abiding lesson, for the United States and for Canada is this: 
the utter futility and inconsequence of war as a means for the just settle- 
ment of disputes between these two nations. That lesson we both have 
learned. That war was our last war. It will remain our last. Never 
again will the armed troops of the United States and Canada meet 
except in friendly review, or, if the day ever comes, to stand side by 
side and shoulder to shoulder in the Armageddon of the nations. Wit- 
ness these great lakes for nigh a hundred years swept clean of every 
battleship, and this transcontinental boundary line for four thousand 
miles undefended save by the civilized instincts and the intelligent good- 
will of both nations. And having learned that great lesson, having 
proved its worth through a hundred years, the United States and Canada, 
these two English-speaking peoples of America, have earned the right to 
stand up and teach the nations. 

T What Lay Behind 1812? 

Go back to the battle of Lake Erie. Read the impartial story of that 
war. Mark how futile it was, how inconsequent, even how inglorious. 
See how it left unsettled the points alleged to be in dispute between Great 
Britain and the United States — the rights of neutrals in war, the right of 
search, the unfixed boundary, points which were settled after the war 
by agreement and treaty and not by brute force. 

What lay behind the War of 1812? That war was declared by the 
United States against Great Britain. Its primal causes however were 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 197 

not American at all but European. The United States was involved 
only indirectly and Canada not at all. The vital issue lay rather in the 
struggle, in the age-long European struggle of free nationhood against 
the barbaric notions of world-empire. Great Britain stood for the rights 
of free nationhood. The dreaun of world-empire found its last tragic 
expression in the vaulting ambition and matchless brain of the great 
Napoleon. 

In that struggle Britain stood alone. Italy, Holland, Austria, 
Prussia, Speiin, one after another, all bowed low to Bonaparte's masterful 
will on bloody fields of war. Even Russia, apart and impregnable 
among her snows, cjune to terms. All the nations of Europe yielded up 
their strength for the service of Napoleon, and, obedient to his decrees, 
at Berlin and Milan they refused commercial relations with the one 
nation which defied the Colossus that bestrode the world. Had he won, 
had his despots' dream come true, then the glory of free nationhood, 
not for Europe alone, but for Britain and perhaps for the world, had 
passed, and it may be, had passed forever. 

Life or Death for Britain 

That struggle meant life or death for Britain. Had Napoleon suc- 
ceeded in throwing all of Britciin's foreign trade into neutral hands it 
could only mean death. In that struggle, as the statesmen of England 
saw it, there was no room for neutral trading nations. Neutral rights as 
manipulated by Napoleon, meant the immediate destruction of England's 
commercial independence. In the end it meant, not the prosperity of the 
neutrals, but Napoleon's domination of the world. 



198 State of New York 

The War of 1812 was declared by the United States for the purpose 
of asserting her trading rights as a neutral in a war that involved Europe. 
When the European situation was solved by the overthrow of Napoleon 
and his banishment to Elba, the alleged causes of the war between 
Britain and the United States became purely academic, and in the treaty 
of peace, signed in 1814, those points in dispute were not even mentioned. 
Indeed it was not until 1 856. in the Declaration of Paris, that the rights. 
the just rights of neutrals, were established among the nations. TTiis 
last war between the two great English-speaking world powers, was 
proved, proved in itself, proved by the history of its issues, to be fruitless 
for good to either nation, unless it be taken as convincing evidence of 
war's incurable futility. 

Undesigned Reactions of War 

Not only is war ineffectual as a mecuis for the just settlement of dis- 
putes betw^een civilized nations, but, by the very irony of fate, most weu-s 
have reactions quite the opposite of their original intentions. The un- 
designed reactions of war are the surprises of history. 

In the thirteenth century and after, the Dukes of Austria tried, by 
sheer brute power, to tighten their feudal grasp on the free peasantry of 
the Alpine valleys. The result of their wars was Austria's humiliation 
and shame. Out of the struggles for liberty was born a new Switzer- 
land, united, free, invincible. 

The battle of Bannockburn, in the fourteenth century, tells the same 
story. England's feudal king sought to lord it as sovereign over what 
had hitherto been the wild and divided north. Proud Edward's power 
was broken. Scotland was united. Out of oppression's woes and pains 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 199 

comes a new and sturdy nation with its deathless slogan, " Scots wha 
hae." 

In the eighteenth century the aggressive war party in Britain, agciinst 
the better judgment and the finer instincts of the nation, and in the teeth 
of eloquent protests of Pitt and Burke, in the blindness of the mere 
bureaucrat, determined, by the sword if needs be, to coerce to their 
own policy the free-born colonies in America. Their folly went wide 
of the mark. TTiey failed as they were bound to fail. Instead of a 
larger domain, and more efficient power, Britain lost her first empire. 
Out of the storm and stress, the American colonies, north and south, 
just because they were sons of the British breed, arose, a welded nation, 
holding on high their Declaration of Independence. 

Similarly in 1812 the dominant war party in this new-born republic, 
blind to the real genius of the nation, deaf to the warnings of its highest 
instincts, and in defiance of the recorded protests of some of the greatest 
of its states, cherished the hope of shifting its northern boundary from 
the great lakes to the Arctic and making the republic coterminous with 
the continent. TTiey also failed. The fates were against them, too. The 
Canadian pioneers, they too, were men of British blood. TTie un- 
designed reaction of the War of 1812 is the Canada of today. 

Making Canada a Nation 

Let there be no mistake. The readings of history are plain. In the 
pangs of 1812 the soul of Canadian nationality began to be born. TTiat 
war was indeed Canada's national war. In it the United States was 
divided, Britain was reluctant, but Canada was in grim and deadly 
earnest. All Canadians — the French-Canadians in the valley of the 



200 State of New York 

St Lawrence, the colonists from Britain, and the loyalists from New 
EnglcUid and the south — all these for the first time made common 
cause. To the French-Canadian, who cared nothing about the cry 
" free trade and sailors' rights " the American appeared as an invader, 
the despoiler of his home, the enemy of his people, and under De Sala- 
berry at the battle of Chateaugay the French-Canadian militiamen, 
fighting under the British flag, defeated the most extensive strategic move- 
ment of the whole war. From the St. Lawrence to the St. Clair the 
Canadian pioneers were the Loyalists of 1 776. For them the War of 
1812 meemt a fight for their new homes against their old time enemies. 
The impact of that war drove into one Ccunp French-speaking and 
English-speaking, and out of that community of sympathies and interests 
emerged in due time Canadian nationality. 

The Beginnings of Empire 

That war did more. It not only welded together French-speaking 
jmd English-speaking, but it bound all Canada with ties stronger than 
steel to the motherland of Britain. Within one generation, Canadians, 
having defended their country side by side with British regulars against 
invasion from without, demanded from Britain self-government within; 
and they won not only representative institutions such as the United 
States inherited, but Britain's latest achievement, responsible government 
as well. When the scattered provinces of Canada gathered themselves 
together under one responsible Canadian government there appeared an 
absolutely new thing in the political achievements of the world: a new 
nation that had not severed its historic ties nor sacrificed its historic back- 
ground. TTiat new nation, loyal to the old flag, awakened in Britain a 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 201 

new conception of empire, and led the way for Newfoundland cind 
Australia and New Zealand and South Africa into that civilized 
" Imperium " which constitutes the British Empire of today. 

A Hundred Years After 

Come back now to the War of 1812. Come back to the battle of 
Lake Erie. Call up the men whose blood reddened these waters, and 
whose valor gave that struggle all it has of glory. Let them all look up 
and see what we now behold. Let the Canadians rise, the men in whose 
hearts the fires of hate and fear burned hot. Let them look southward 
across the lake, far as the gulf and wide as from sea to sea. Let them 
multiply the eight million Americans of that day into the hundred 
millions of today, and count every man a friend. Let them see this great 
nation, greatest among the worlds republics, with power to achieve that 
it has greatly planned, standing four-square among the nations, pledged, 
irretrievably pledged, to the worlds freedom, good will and peace. 
What a glad surprise to the Canadians of a hundred years ago! 

Let the Americans rise, too. Let them come, officers and men, from 
Ohio, from Rhode Island, from Kentucky, who in the hour of victory. 
for them the hour of death, saw in vision their republic stretch as far 
as the northern sea. Let them look up and see the boundary line where 
it was a hundred years ago, but north of it a new nation, filling half a 
continent with people of proud resolve, self-dependent, resolute, free. 
Let them understand how that through this century of peace there have 
arisen in America two English-speaking nations, both sovereign, self- 
respecting, unafraid, and each with the other forming that marvelous 
unity of American civilization and standing for its integrity, prestige and 



202 State of New York 

power. What a surprise, what a glad surprise, to the Americans of a 
hundred years ago. 

Principle of Nationhood 

Greatest surprise of all to those men from Britain, from Canada and 
from the United States, who here greatly fought and bravely died, 
would be to see that fights like theirs are now not only deemed impolitic, 
but are absolutely impossible between these nations. TTiat impossibility 
is not merely a matter of policy but is a fundamental principle. That 
principle is the rights of nationhood. All responsible statesmen in 
Britain, in the United States and in Canada agree in this, that not for 
themselves alone, but for all people, the rights of nationality are sacred 
and inviolate. Any and every people that desires to be free and is fit 
to be free, ought to be free, and must be free. 

Canning and Monroe 

Britain learned that lesson out of the wcir for American independence. 
The United States and Canada learned it in the struggle of 1812. In 
loyalty to that principle Britain withstood the despotic aggressions of 
Napoleon, and after him the not less despotic schemes of concerted 
monarchs of Europe against the rising democracies. When the concert 
of Europe planned war against the new Spanish democracy, Canning, 
the Foreign Secretary of Britain, asserted that principle in these words: 
" Our business is to preserve the peace of the world, and therefore the 
independence of the several nations that compose it; " and, again, in 
these words: " Every nation for itself and God for us all." When those 
plans of the autocratic monarchs of Europe threatened the Spanish 
colonies in America, Canning proposed to American Ambassador Rush 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 203 

that Britain and the United States issue a joint declaration that " while 
neither power desired the colonies of Spain for herself, it was impossible 
to look with indifference on European intervention in their affairs." 
Immediately after that proposal. President Monroe, giving voice to the 
instinct and true policy of the United States, used those historic words to 
Congress: "With the existing colonies or dependencies of any 
European power we have not interfered and shall not interfere. But 
with the governments who have declared their independence and main- 
tained it — we could not view any interposition for the purpose of 
oppressing them or controlling in any manner their destiny, by any 
European power in any other light than as a memifestation of an un- 
friendly disposition toward the United States." 

Principle of World Peace 

That sovereign principle has been the guiding star to the nations of 
Britain cuid America over many a troubled sea. It has changed for 
Britain the old centralized notion of Empire into the new idea of a world 
alliance of free nations, in which loyalty is not of compulsion but of 
love, and the ties, stronger than selfish bonds, are imperceptible and light 
as jiir. It has ranged the public opinion of Britain on the side of the 
struggling democracies of the world — of Greece, of Italy, of Belgium, 
of Hungary and even of the nations of the Orient. It civilized the 
boundary line between the United States and Canada, and inspires life 
in America with a new idea of internationalism. It determines the 
policy of the United States in its relations with the Philippines, with 
Cuba, vnlh Mexico and the Republics of South America, with Japan 
of a generation ago, and with the awakening democracy of China of 
today. 



204 State of New York 

Not Yesterday But Tomorrow 

All this growth of nationhood, this sanctity of national aspiration, the 
commonplace among us today, had its beginning when through the smoke 
of battle Britain and America began to see eye to eye. TTie distance 
that vision has brought these two nations, the revolution it has wrought, 
may be measured by the difference between what happened on Lake 
Erie in 1813 and what happened in Manila Bay in 1898. The 
significance of the change is expressed in today's celebration. At this 
place and on this day, our deepest concern is not with the wars of the 
past but with the peace of the future; not with the triumphs or the 
defeats of yesterday but with the responsibilities and obligations of 
tomorrow ; not with the glory that either nation achieved a hundred years 
ago, but with the message which both nations, speaking in the name of 
our common North American civilization, shall give to the world through 
the hundred years to come. 

TTiat message, spoken by two voices, one from the United States, the 
other from Canada, is one message. It is America's message that on 
this continent, between two proud peoples, the barbarism of brute force 
has long yielded to civilized internationalism. It is the assurance that 
Canada's national standing on this continent binds the British Empire and 
the American Republic in one world-spanning English-speaking fra- 
ternity. On all continents and on all seas the power of America is the 
combined power of the United States and Canada, plus the power of 
Britain and of the British dominions on the South Atlantic and beyond 
the Pacific. These are all bound together, each with the others, for 
the maintenance of that principle of nationhood; any people that desires 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 205 

to be free, and is fit to be free, ought to be free, and must be free. That 
principle means peace and freedom in the English-speaking world. 

National Honor and Vital Interests 

More than that. What this principle of nationhood has done for 
America and for the English-speaking fraternity it yet will do for the 
world. In the light of America's experience the international boundary 
lines of Europe are barbaric. They cannot long endure. In our own 
day war has begun to be seen not merely as cruel, burdensome, brutal, 
but as too futile and too foolish for sane and civilized people. The 
nations of civilization will yet leave war behind, as civilized men have 
left behind the street fight and the duel. As individual citizens have 
found the only sure vindication of personal honor and the only true 
protection of vital interests to be in respecting the personality and the 
personal interests of others and in trusting for justice to the law of their 
land, so are the nations learning that the only sure vindication of national 
honor and the only certain protection of vital interests is in respecting the 
nationality of others and in trusting for justice to the growing conscience 
of the race codified in international law and expressing itself through 
international arbitration. 

The Message of America 

On that, as on a sure foundation, rests the hope of the world's peace. 
Once men dreamed of peace through the world sovereignty of some 
master mind like Alexander or some ruling race like the Romans. But 
that dream of peace, the peace not of free men, but of weaklings and 
slaves, was doomed forever when Napoleon and his army staggered 
back through the snows of Russia under the curse of God. 



206 State of New York 

But a new day has dawned, dawned for the statesmen, dawned for 
the nations. It is the day of national rights and national responsibilities. 
TTie two nations of America have seen the coming of the day, have seen 
it through these generations of peace, have seen it and are glad. We of 
to-day, standing on this historic boundary line, a boundary no longer of 
separation, but of union, are pledged, we and our nations with us, 
pledged to preach this gospel of freedom, good-will and peace. TTiis is 
America's vision, this America's message; this America's obligation to 
all the world. 



APPENDIX F 

PERRY'S VICTORY CENTENNIAL COMMISSION 
STATE OF NEW YORK 



207 




COLONEL HENRY WATTERSON 

Vice-President General, Interstate Board, Perry's Victory 
Centennial Commissioners 




HON. A. E. SISSON 

Treasurer General, Interstate Board, Perry's Victory 
Centennial Commissioners 




WEBSTER P. HUNTINGTON 

Secretary General, Interstate Board, Perry's Victory 
Centennial Commissioners 




MACKENZIE R. TODD 

Financial Secretary, Interstate Board, Perry's Victory 
Centennial Commissioners 



PERRY'S VICTORY CENTENNIAL COMMISSION 

STATE OF NEW YORK 

(September, 1913) 

William J. Conners, Buffalo, N. Y., Chairman. 

Hon. William L. Ormrod. Churchville, N. Y., Vice-Chairman. 

George D. Emerson, Buffalo, N. Y., Secretary. 

William Simon, Buffalo, N. Y., Treasurer. 

Executive Committee 

Hon. John F. Malone, Buffalo, N. Y., Chairman. 

Hon. Robert F. Wagner. New York City. , 

Hon. Simon L. Adler, Rochester, N. Y. 

Hon. Edward D. Jackson. Buffalo, N. Y. 

Hon. Jacob Schifferdecker, Brooklyn, N. Y. 

William J. Conners, Chairman of Commission, ex-officio. 

Appointments by Governor 
(Concurrent Resolution 23, session of 1910) 

Ogden p. LeTCHWORTH, Buffalo, N. Y., July 20. 1910; resigned February 
25, 1911. 

George D. Emerson, Buffalo, N. Y.. July 20, 1910. 

John T. MotT. Oswego, N. Y., July 20, 1910; resigned January 8, 1913. 

Clinton B. Herrick, M. D.. Troy. N. Y., July 20. 1910. 

Henry Harmon Noble, Essex, N. Y., July 20, 1910; resigned June 16, 
1913. 

William Simon, Buffalo, N. Y., May 9, 191 I, vice Letchworth. resigned. 

William J. Conners. Buffalo, N. Y., January 8. 1913. vice Mott, resigned. 

William F. RaFFERTY, Syracuse. N. Y.. June 16. 1913, vice Noble, 
resigned. 

209 
14 



210 State of New York 



Legislative Appointments 

(Section 5, Chapter 190. Laws of 1913) 

Hon. Martin H. Glynn, Lieutenant-Governor, April 3. 1913, became 
Governor October 16, 1913, and vacated membership on Gjmmission. 

Hon. Robert F. Wagner, New York City, October 16, 1913, Lieutenant- 
Governor, vice Glynn promoted to Governor. Term expired December 31, 1914. 

Hon. Edward Schoeneck, Syracuse, N. Y., January 1, 1915, Lieutenant- 
Governor. Term expires December 31, 1916. 

Hon. John F. Malone, Buffalo. N. Y., April 17. 1913. State Senator. 

Hon. William L. Ormrod, Churchville. N. Y., April 17. 1913, State 
Senator. 

Hon. Edward D. Jackson, Buffalo, N. Y.. April 9. 1913, Member of 
Assembly. 

Hon. Jacob Schifferdecker, Brooklyn, N. Y., April 9, 1913. Member 
of Assembly. 

Hon. Simon L. Adler, Rochester. N. Y., April 9, 1913, Member of 

Assembly. 

(Commissioner Clinton B. Herrick died March 23, 1915, and was succeeded 
by Mr. Charles H. Wiltsie of Rochester, N. Y. Hon. Edward Schoeneck of 
Sjrracuse, N. Y., Lieutenant-Governor, became a member of the Commission 
ex-ofido, January 1, 1915.) 



APPENDIX G 

PERRY'S VICTORY CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE 
CITY OF BUFFALO. N. Y. 



211 



PERRVS VICTORY CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE 
CITY OF BUFFALO. N. Y. 

George D. Emerson. Chairman, resigned July 8. 1913. 

General Edgar B. Jewett. Vke-Chairman, elected chairman 
July 8. 1913. 

Harold J. Balliett. Secretary. 

General G. Barrett Rich. Treasurer. 

Ex-OFFicio Members 

Mayor of the city of Buffalo, Hon. Louis P. Fuhrmann. 
President of the Board of Councilmen. 
President of the Board of Aldermen. 
Members of New York State Commission residing in Buffalo. 

Appointed b^ the Ma))or 

(Pursuant to Joint Resolution of the Common Council) 
Charles R. Wilson General G. Barrett Rich 

Frederick J. Meyer Leslie J. Bennett 

Michael Nellany George C. Ginther 

Thomas Stoddart Henry C. Steul 

Hon. Henry W. Hill 

Representing Board of Aldermen 

George K. Staples Edward Sperry 

Colonel George J. Haffa William G. Humphrey 

George Vosseller George J. Burley 

John P. Sullivan Thomas H. McDonough 

Edward Stengel 



213 



214 



State of New York 



Francis T. G)ppins 
B. Dorasewicz 



RepresenUng Board of Councilmen 

Horace C. Mills 
Charles L. WiUert 



M. Emmett Tabcr 
General Edgar B. Jewett 



William J. G)nners 
George D. Emerson 



Chamber of Commerce 

O. H. P. Champlin 
General Samuel M. Welch 
Captain Thomas E. Boyd 

Neiv York State Commission 

Hon. John F. M alone 
Hon. Edward D. Jackson 
William Simon 

£xecu<ive Committee 

Hon. Henry W. Hill, Chairman 
Edward Stengel 
B. Dorasewicz 
The officers ex-officio 

Additional members pursuant to resolution of the Committee. 

Colonel Charles J. Wolf Dr. Francis E. Fronczak 

Harry J. Knepper Charles F. Reif 

Frank H. Severance Richard L. Kirtland 

Charles E. Baker Captain George H. Norton 



George C. Ginther 
O. H. P. Champlin 



APPENDIX H 

WOMEN'S COMMITTEE. BUFFALO. N. Y. 
PERRY'S VICTORY CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 1913 

216 



WOMEN'S COMMITTEE, BUFFALO. N. Y. 

PERRY'S VICTORY CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 1913 

Mrs. Esther C. Davenport. General Chairman 





Reception 


Commillee 


Mrs. 


Israel Aaron 


Mrs. 


George D. Emerson 


Mrs. 


John J. Albright 


Mrs. 


John Knox Freemam 


Mrs. 


D. S. Alexander 


Mrs. 


Robert L. Fryer 


Mrs. 


Henry Altman 


Mrs. 


Louis P. Fuhrmann 


Miss 


Gertrude Angell 


Mrs. 


Robert Fulton 


Mrs. 


Trueman G. Avery 


Mrs. 


Joseph E. Gavin 


Mrs. 


Frank B. Baird 


Mrs. 


Henry M. Gerrans 


Mrs. 


Tracy C. Becker 


Mrs. 


William H. Glenny 


Miss 


Frances E. Beecher 


Mrs. 


Frank H. Goodyear 


Dr. 


Ida C. Bender 


Mrs. 


Charles W. Goodyear 


Mrs. 


A. H. Briggs 


Mrs. 


WiUiam H. Gratwick 


Miss 


Harriett M. Buck 


Mrs. 


J. W. Grosvenor 


Mrs. 


John Westervelt Bush 


Mrs. 


Harry Hamlin 


Mrs. 


Seth Caldwell 


Mrs. 


Edward C. Hard 


Mrs. 


Godfrey L. Cardcn 


Mrs. 


Lucien Hawley 


Mrs. 


Horace P. Chamberlain 


Mrs. 


Albert J. Howard 


Mrs. 


O. H. P. Champlin 


Mrs. 


John D. Howiand 


Mrs. 


John S. Chittenden 


Mrs. 


William Hudson 


Mrs. 


Marshall Clinton 


Mrs. 


John Hughes 


Mrs. 


Elmer J. Cobb 


Mrs. 


Elisha P. Hussey 


Miss 


Colton 


Mrs. 


Frederick N. C. Jerrauld 


Mrs. 


William J. Conners 


Mrs. 


Edgar B. Jewett 


Mrs. 


Joseph T. Cook 


Mrs. 


Louise Jewett 


Mrs. 


Walter Piatt Cooke 


Mrs. 


Albert E. Jones 


Miss 


Elizabeth Cottier 


Mrs. 


Joseph T. Jones 


Mrs. 


Charles Daniels 


Miss 


Anna Jordan 


Mrs. 


Jacob C. Dold 


Miss 


Margaret L. Jordan 


Mrs. 


Henry P. Emerson 


Mrs. 


F. A. Kahler 



217 



218 



State of New York 



Mrs. Frances Root Keating 
Mrs. Ralph A. Kellogg 
Mrs. Frederick W. Kendall 
Mrs. John H. Lascelles 
Mrs. Ogden P. Letchworth 
Mrs. F. Park Lewis 
Miss Maria M. Love 
Mrs. Munroe MacFarland 
Mrs. John F. Maione 
Mrs. Norman E. Mack 
Mrs. Thomas K. Mann 
Mrs. Rufus Matthewson 
Mrs. William L. Marcy 
Mrs. Roscoe Rowland Mitchell 
Mrs. George B. Matthews 
Mrs. Adelbert Moot 
Mrs. Porter Norton 
Mrs. John Lord O'Brian 
Mrs. William D. Olmsted 
Mrs. Fenton M. Parke 
Mrs. Peter A. Porter 
Miss Kate E. Putnam 
Mrs. John H. Pryor 
Miss Harriett C. Putnam 
Mrs. G. Barrett Rich, Jr. 
Mrs. Horace Reed 

Mrs. Albert B 



Mrs. Dexter P. Rumsey 
Mrs. Charles Rohlfs 
Mrs. James H. Ross 
Miss Cornelia Bentley Sage 
Mrs. Walter H. Schoellkopf 
Mrs. Frank J. Shuler 
Mrs. Charles E. Selkirk 
Mrs. Franklin Sidway 
Mrs. George H. Selkirk 
Mrs. Anselm J. Smith 
Mrs. Frank H. Severance 
Mrs. Charles Bennett Smith 
Mrs. George R. Steams 
Miss Amelia B. Stevenson 
Mrs. Thomas Stoddart 
Dr. Amelia Earle Trant 
Mrs. Charles Van Bergen 
Mrs. Francis G. Ward 
Mrs. Harry Walbridge 
Mrs. Hamilton Ward, Jr. 
Mrs. William C. Warren 
Miss Jane Meade Welch 
Mrs. Henry Wertimer 
Mrs. Charles L. Whiting 
Mrs. Drake Whitney 
Miss Mary Wilkeson 
Young 



Enterlainmenl Commiiiee 
Mrs. Edward Gaskin, Mrs. M. Emmett Taber, Chairmen 

Mrs. Loren C. Davenport 



Mrs. Harold J. Balliett 
Mrs. O. H. P. Champlin 
Mrs. Alonzo R. Clarkson 
Mrs. Alonzo Clarkson 
Mrs. Charles A. Criqui 
Mrs. Samuel D. Colie 



Jr. Mrs. Edward F. Dold 

Mrs. Henry Sidford Fisher 

Mrs. Burton Fletcher 

Mrs. Frank L. Georger 

Mrs. John Douglas Gordon 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 



219 



Mrs. Cornelia Marcy Greene 
Mrs. William J. Gunnell 
Mrs. Albert G. Hatch 
Mrs. C. F. Howard 
Mrs. Arthur \V. Hoddick 
Miss Elsie James 
Mrs. George H. Kennedy 
Mrs. Daniel Provost Manning 
Mrs. John F. McDonald 
Mrs. Pliny B. McNaughton 
Miss Martha Murray 
Miss Sylveen V. Nye 



Mrs. Thomas H. Oswald 
Mrs. D. Frederick Potter 
Mrs. Arthur A. Perry 
Dr. Alice Heath Proctor 
Mrs. George Carpenter Rice 
Mrs. Isabel Sidway 
Miss Matilda M. Sloan 
Mrs. Harriett D. Storck 
Mrs. Alfred W. Thorne 
Mrs. Frederick DeForest Towne 
Mrs. W. W. Trotter 
Mrs. Charles A. White 



Badge Cowwiilee 
Mrs. James A. Gardner, Chairman 



Mrs. Frank H. Bliss 
Mrs. Frank H. Coffran 



Mrs. Andrew J. Purdy 
Dr. Marie Ross Wolcott 

Music Committee 
Mrs. A. J. Elias, Chairman 
Miss Thekia Adam Mrs. Evelyn Choate 

Mrs. Howard Hamilton Baker Mrs. Felix Kessell 

Mrs. Hubert M. Chester Mrs. Andrew T. Webster 

Mrs. Carlton H. White 

Press Committee 
Miss Anna Harlow, Chairman 
Miss Saidee Abel Miss Agnes Hall 

Miss Marion DeForest Miss Edna Mabie Hancock 

Miss Marjorie Shuler 

Floxoer Committee 
Mrs. Walter W. Steele, Chairman 
Mrs. E. M. Statler Mrs. Clarence H. Howard 

Mrs. W. H. Sanford 

Finance Committee 
Mrs. Waiiam G. Justice Mrs. Edgar C. Neal 



APPENDIX I 

OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS 

of the 

NEW YORK LEGISLATURE 

Concurrent Resolution of the Senate and Assembly. Session of 1910. 

No. 23 

Chapter 190. Laws of 1913 



221 



OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS, NEW YORK LEGISLATURE 

Concurrent Resolulion of the Senate and Assembl]), session of 1910. 

No. 23. 
By Mr. Hill: 

Whereas, The centennial anniversary of the battle of Lake Erie, which 
witnessed the momentous triumph of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry and his 
gallant men in the crowning struggle of the War of 1812, will occur in the year 
1913; and. 

Whereas, The State of Ohio, by action of her legislative authorities, has 
formulated preUminary plans to celebrate this anniversary in a fitting maimer by 
mccms of an historical cmd educational exposition at Put-in-Bay Island during 
the summer of 1913, and has created a board of commissioners to carry said plans 
forward amd to invite therein the co-operation of the states bordering on the great 
lakes; and. 

Whereas, The states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin have 
already joined the State of Ohio in the aforesaid enterprise by the appointment 
of five conunissioners each, to co-operate therein; and. 

Whereas, Legislation is trending in the Congress of the United States having 
in view the like co-operation of the National Government therein; therefore, be it 

Resolved (if the Assembly concur). That the Governor be emd hereby is au- 
thorized to appoint a commission of five members, composed of citizens of the 
State of New York, to consult and co-operate in this laudable enterprise with the 
commissioners from Ohio and such other states as are now participating and may 
in future participate in the proposed celebration. The commissioners thus appointed 
will serve without compensation and make report to the Governor of New York 
relative to the progress of the objects in view, prior to the session of the Legislature 
in the year 1911. 

By order of the Senate, January 26, 1910. 

Lafayette B. Gleason, 

Clerk. 
In Assembly: Concurred in without amendment, January 27, 1910. 
By order of the Assembly. 

Ray B. Smith, 
Clerk. 
223 



224 State of New York 



Chapter 190. Laws of 1913 

Approved April 3. 1913 

AN ACT 

Making an appropriation to aid in the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary 
of the battle of Lake Erie, fought September tenth, eighteen hundred and 
thirteen, the erection of a memorial to Commodore Perry and his men, and 
other expenses in connection with such celebration, and relating to Perry's 
Victory Centennial Commission. 
The People of the State of Neip York. repTesented in Senate and Assembh, 
do enact as follov>s: 

Section 1 . The sum of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($1 50,000) 
is hereby appropriated out of any moneys in the treasury, not otherwise appropriated, 
for the purpose of enabling the State of New York to participate in the celebration 
of the one hundredth anniversary of the battle of Lake Erie, fought September 
tenth in the year eighteen hundred and thirteen, to aid in the construction of a 
memorial at Put-in-Bay in Lake Erie. State of Ohio, to the American commander. 
Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, and the officers and men of his fleet killed dunng 
the battle; to aid in the celebration, including any entertainment or public function 
held within the State of New York during the said celebration in connection there- 
with, to defray the expenses of the State Commission. Perry's Victory Centennial 
Commission, appointed pursuant to concurrent resolution number twenty-three of the 
legislative session of nineteen hundred and ten and this act. The said sum of one 
hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) shall be paid by warrant of the 
comptroller to the treasurer of the said State Commission. Perry's Victory Centenmal 
Commission, and be disbursed by the commission. 

Section 2. It shall be lawful for the said commission, at its discretion, to 
transfer and pay to the treasurer-general of the interstate board of the Perry's 
Victory Centennial Commission, not exceeding the sum of fifty thousand dollars 
($50,000) out of the said one hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($150,000), 
to aid in the erection of a suitable and permanent memorial on South Bass Island 
(sometimes called Put-in-Bay Island), in Lake Erie in the State of Ohio, in 
commemoration of the victory of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry at the battle 
of Lake Erie, provided that no part of the money hereby appropriated shall be 




MAIN STREET. BUFFALO. N. Y. 




u 



UJ u 

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The Pee^^y's Victory Centenary 225 



available for said memorial until the commissioners are satisfied that a sufficient 
sum has been appropriated by the United States and the states participating for the 
completion of said memorial, and provided also that the title to all the sites and 
memorials constructed thereon, pursuant to the provisions of this act, shall be vested 
in the United States of America. 

Section 3. It shall be lawful for the said Perry's Victory Centennial Com- 
mission, at its discretion, to transfer and pay from the said one hundred and fifty 
thousand dollars ($150,000), to the treasurer-general of the interstate board of 
the Perry's Victory Centennial Commission, such amount as it may deem proper to 
aid in defraying the general expenses of said interstate board, only in connection 
with the celebration of Perry's victory. The State Commission shall file in the 
office of the comptroller, after the close of the celebration, vouchers for all sums 
expended, showing amounts paid, to whom paid and for what purpose. The terra 
expenses shall be held to include the actual and necessary expenses of the individual 
members of said commission in connection with the said celebration, including 
expenses incurred prior to this lime. 

Section 4. The said Perry's Victory Centennial Commission is hereby au- 
thorized to appoint a secretary, a stenographer, a director, and such other officers 
and employees as it may deem necessary, and it may also rent suitable office quarters 
and do any and all other acts for the proper discharge of its duties and the carrying 
on of the work entrusted to it. It shall have power to fix and determine the com- 
pensation of all such officers and employees and pay the same out of the money 
hereby appropriated. No salary hereby authorized shall continue after the thirty- 
first day of December, nineteen hundred and thirteen and no person shall be debarred 
from receiving pay for services rendered by reason of membership in the said 
commission. 

Section 5. The commission representing the State of New York m the 
celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of the battle of Lake Erie, as herein- 
before referred to. shall continue to be known as Perry's Victory Centennial Com- 
mission. Such commission shall consist of the five members heretofore appointed 
by the governor, the lieutenant-governor, two senators to be appointed by the 
temporary president of the senate, and three members of assembly to be appointed 
by the speaker of the assembly. If a vacancy occurs in the office of any member 
it shall be filled by the officer making the original appointment. Said commission 
15 



226 State of New York 



shall make an annual report of its expenses with the items thereof and the progress 
of the proceedings of the interstate board, to the governor and the legislature 
of the State of New York. Its officers shall be a chairman, a vice-chairman and 
a treasurer, elected by the commission, and it may make by-laws for its own 
government and for those in its employ. 

Section 6. This act shall take effect immediately. 



APPENDIX J 
REWARDING THE VICTORS 

227 



REWARDING THE VICTORS 

THE United States Congress of 1813-14 was not backward or 
niggardly in its expression of appreciation of the services of the 
officers and men of Commodore Perry's fleet on the memorable 
tenth day of September, 1813. On the sixth day of February, 1814, 
resolutions were adopted by Congress extending its thanks to the officers 
and men of the fleet for their services in the battle of Lake Erie and 
authorizing the President to have prepared and presented to Commodore 
Perry and to Lieutenant Jesse D. Elliott each a gold medal with a 
suitable design of the battle. A silver medal of similar design was also 
authorized to be presented to each commissioned officer and a handsome 
gold sword to each midshipman and sailing master. Three months extra 
pay was voted to all the petty officers, marines, seamen, infantry, etc. 

Prize money based upon the value of the British vessels captured, 
totalling $234,020.53, was afterwards distributed to the officers and 
men of the fleet. According to the report of the prize agent he paid as 
having been connected with the fleet, on the morning of September 10, 
1813; of all ranks and grades, including volunteers and men detailed from 
the army encamped on the mainland, 533 men. TTiese were distributed 
among the different vessels as follows: Lawrence, 137; Niagara, 143; 
Caledonia, 53; Ariel, 36; Scorpion, 35; Somers, 30; Ohio, 12; Trippe, 
35; Tigress, 27; Porcupine, 25. The boat Ohio, with her twelve men. 
was on detached service the day of the fight and did not participate in the 
battle and 1 1 6 men were sick. 

The 533 men connected with the fleet, September 10th, and who 
shared in the prize money, in line of duty were divided as follows: 

229 



230 State of New York 

Commander, I ; master commandant, 1 ; lieutenants, 8 ; surgeons, 3 ; 
pursers, 2 ; sailing masters, 8 ; chaplain, 1 ; midshipmen, 1 5 ; masters' 
mates, 7; captains (U. S. Infantry), 2; lieutenants (U. S. A.), 5; 
lieutenant (marines), 1 ; quartermasters, 4; gunners, 2; sergeant marines, 
I ; boatswains, 2 ; carpenters, 2 ; pilots, 9 ; armorers, 2 ; masters-at-arms, 
I ; stewards, 9; coxswains, 2; seamen, 108; ordinary seamen, 81 ; lands- 
men, 45; boys, 15; sergeants' infantry, 6; corporals, I 1 ; musicians, 2; 
soldiers, volunteers and marines, 1 33 ; cooks, 5 ; quartermasters' mates, 3 ; 
quarter gunners, 1 2 ; gunners' mates, 1 ; boatsYt^ains' mates, 1 2 ; carpenters' 
mates, 1 1 . 

The prize money paid was allotted to each man according to rank 
and pay as per the following table : 

Commodore Perry $7, 1 40 00 

Lieutenant Elliott 7.140 00 

Lieutenants and sailing masters 2,295 00 

Infantry captains 2,295 00 

Other commissioned officers 1,214 29 

Midshipmen and warrant officers 811 85 

Petty officers and non-commissioned officers of infantry 447 39 

Seamen, ordinary seamen, landsmen, private soldiers, etc 2 1 4 89 



Commodore Perry was subsequently voted $5,000 additional by 
Congress. In the event of the death of an officer or other member of the 
fleet, prior to the distribution of the medals, swords and prize money, 
the award was, if possible to locate them, handed to some member of the 
feimily of the deceased. 

In addition to the 533 names which are borne on the prize agent's 
report, there appear the names of twenty-two men of various grades 
among the list of killed and wounded in the official report made by 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 231 



Commodore Perry of the casualties in the battle of September 10th, 
1813. The total amount of prize money voted by Congress for the 
capture of the British fleet, based upon a survey made by a board of 
naval officers and Henry Eckford, the noted shipbuilder, was $255,000, 
of which one-twentieth ($12,750) was allotted to the commander-in- 
chief, Commodore Isaac Chauncey, of Sackett's Harbor, N. Y., leaving 
$242,250 to be distributed to the officers and men of the fleet. Of this, 
as stated, the prize agent reports paying $234,020.53, leaving a balance 
of $8,229.47, which was undoubtedly the share of these twenty-two, 
uncalled for. 

TTie following is the text of the resolutions of thanks adopted by 
Congress : 

Resolved, By the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of 
America, in Congress assembled, that the thanks of Congress be and the same are 
hereby presented to Captain Oliver Hazard Perry and, through him, to the officers, 
petty officers, seamen, marines and infantry serving as such, attached to the squadron 
under his command, for the decisive and glorious victory gained on Lake Erie on 
the tenth day of September, in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirteen, 
over a British squadron of superior force. 

Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause gold 
medals to be struck, emblematical of the action between the two squadrons, and to 
present them to Captain Perry and Captain Jesse D. Elliott in such a manner 
as will be most honorable to them; and that the President be further requested to 
present a silver medal, with suitable emblems and devices, to each of the commis- 
sioned officers, either of the navy or army, serving on board, and a sword to each 
of the midshipmen and sailing masters, who so nobly distinguished themselves on 
that memorable day. 

Resolved, That the President be requested to present a silver medal, with like 
emblems and devices, to the nearest male relative of Lieutenant John Brooks, of the 
marines, and a sword to the nearest male relative of Midshipmen Henry Laub 
and Thomas Claxton, Jr., and to communicate to them the deep regret which 
Congress feels for the loss of those gallant men. whose names ought to live in the 



232 State of New York 



recollection and affection of a grateful country, and whose conduct ought to be 
regarded as an example to future generations. 

Resolved, That three months pay be allowed, exclusively of the common allow- 
ance, to all the petty officers, seamen, marines and infantry serving as such, who so 
gloriously supported the honor of the American flag, under the orders of their 
gallant commander, on that signal occasion. 

The medal thus voted to Perry, when executed, bore on the face his 
bust, surrounded by the legend " Oliverus H. Perry, Princeps Stagno 
Erieon, Classem Totam Contudit " ; on the reverse a fleet closely engaged, 
with the legend, " Viam invenitvirtus autfaclt " ; and on the exergue, 
" Inter Class, Ameri. Et Brit. Die X Sept. MDCCCXIII ". 

Upon leaving the Lake Erie district and journeying east. Commodore 
Perry was also presented by the city of Albany, N. Y., with a gold 
sword, and on behalf of the municipality, the Mayor presented him with 
the freedom of the city enclosed in a gold box. He was also presented 
by the corporation of New York City with the freedom of the city, 
enclosed in a gold box, having on the top a beautiful picture in enamel 
of the battle of Lake Erie. In addition to this he was requested to sit 
for his portrait to be placed in the gallery at the City Hall. Other 
testimonials were a gold medal from the State of Pennsylvania, and 
an elegant service of silver from each of the cities of Boston, Mass., and 
Newport, Rhode Island. 

On February 19, 1 8 1 4, the following additional resolution was adopted 

by Congress: 

That the President of the United States be requested to present a sword to the 
nearest male relative of Midshipman John Clark, who was slain gallantly combating 
the enemy in the glorious battle gained on Lake Erie, under the command of Captain 
Perry and to communicate to him the deep regret which Congress feels for the loss 
of that brave officer. 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 233 



MUSTER ROLL OF THE FLEET 

September 10. 1813 
(Names on Report of Prize Money Agent) 

Brig Lawrence 

Oliver H. Perry, Commander 
John J. Yarnall, Lieutenant 
Dulaney Forrest, Lieutenant 
Samuel Hambleton, Purser 
Samuel Horseley, Surgeon 
William V. Taylor, Sailing Master 
Thomas Breese, Chaplain 
Usher Parsons. Acting Surgeon 
Thomas Claxton, Acting Masters' Mate 

Midshipmen 

Augustus Swartwout Henry Laub 

Peleg K. Dunham James Alexander Perry 

John Fox, Gunner 
• Joseph Cheeves, Boatswain 
Jonas Stone, Carpenter 
William Steers, Pilot 
Thomas Hammond, Armorer 
William C. Keene, Master-at-Arms 
John O. Vose, Steward 
Thomas Hill, Cook 
John Newen, Quartermasters' Mate 
Ezekiel Fowler, Quartermasters' Mate 
Francis Mason, Quartermasters' Mate 
John E. Brown, Quarter Gunner 
Henry Barker, Quarter Gunner 
William Lawson, Gunners' Mate 
John Williams, Boatswains' Mate 



234 



State of New York 



James Healan, Boatswains' Mate 
William Johnson, Boatswains' Mate 
Wilson Mays, Carpenters' Mate 
Joseph Southwick, Carpenters' Mate 
Daniel A. Brown, Carpenters' Mate 
John Lawton, Carpenters' Mate 
George Cornell, Carpenters' Mate 



Domingo Alvarez 
John Bordain 
John Brown 
John Burnham 
Samuel Brotherton 
John Barnes 
John Clay 
Nathan Chapman 
Joseph Denning 
William Daring 
William Dawson 
Stephen Fairfield 
James Green 
John Hoffman 
James D. Hammond 
Daniel Harris 
Lannon Huse 
Robert Hill 



Seamen 

James Jackson 
Daniel Johnson 
Joseph Jockins 
Peter Kinsley 
Andrew Matteson 
John Mullen 
James Moses 
Barney McCain 
Charles Pohig 
Benoni Price 
William Rowe 
Thomas Robinson 
Richard Smith 
Samuel Spywood 
John Schroeder 
William Thompson 
Cyrus Tiffany 
George Varnum 
David Wilson 



Ordinary Seamen 



James W. Allen 
Henry W. Brown 
William Cranston 
Benjamin Dring 
John H. Easterbrook 
Abraham Fish 
Newport Hazard 



Joseph Harcum 
James Hadley 
Westal Johnson 
John M. Packet! 
Thomas Reed 
Hezekiah Sanford 
Henry Stephens 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 



235 



William Simpson 
Charles VanDyke 
Jamei Waddington 



Nathaniel Wade 
George Williams 
Jesse Williams 



John Adams, Landsman 
Elijah Parlin, Landsman 
Samuel Lord, Boy 
Thomas Ford, Boy 
William Almy, Boy 
Jack Russell, Boy 
John Bodge, Boy 
Daniel Hull, Boy 
Anthony Johnson, Coxswain 

United States Infantry and Marines 

John Brooks, Lieutenant (Marines) 
James TuU, Sergeant 
William S. Johnson, Sergeant 
James McClure, Corporal 
Matthew Lynch, Corporal 
Philip Sharpley, Corporal 
Jehu Marsh, Corporal 
Joseph Mecias, Fifer 
George Gordon, Drummer 



Privatei 



William Baggs 
William Burnett 
Solomon Bardwell 
James Burd 
David Christie 
Eben Cunningham 
Dennis Doyle 
Jacob Frantz 
Samuel Garwood 
Jesse Harlan 



Charles Harrington 
William Insell 
Richard Johnson 
John Kennedy 
John Ludd 
Charles Newton 
John J. Packer 
William B. Perkins 
James Rankin 
Hosea Sergeant 



236 State of New York 



John Sivers Henry Vanpool 

Abraham Reeves Frederich Smitley 

Thomas Tuft Abner Williams 

Richard Williams 

Brig Niagara 

Jesse D. Elliott, Master Commandant 
John J. Edwards, Lieutenant 
Joseph E. Smith, Lieutenant 
Nelson Webster, Acting Sailing Master 
Robert R. Barton, Surgeon 
Humphrey Magrath, Purser 
Richard O'Neil. Pilot 

Midshipmen 

John B. Montgomery Samuel W. Adams 

John L. Cumings Robert S. Tatem 

Charles Smith Simeon Warn 

Edward Bridgeport, Gunner 
Peter Barry, Boatswain 
George Southwick, Carpenter 
William Woodman, Steward 
John Coddington, Armorer 
John Murray, Coxswain 
Lemuel Palmer, Carpenters' Mate 
John Donnelly, Carpenters' Mate 
William Arnot, Boatswains' Mate 
John Feiton, Boatswains' Mate 
Edward Coffee, Boatswains' Mate 
George Adams, Quartermaster 
Jacob Webber, Quartermaster 
Charles Squires, Quartermaster 
John Gill, Quarter Gunner 
William Chapman, Quarter Gunner 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 



237 



Hector Holcomb 
Charles Dossen 
Daniel Bennett 
Owen Cathcarl 
Ebenezer Allen 
Henry Davidson 
George Piatt 
David C. Bonnell 
William D. Edwardj 
Gabriel Henburgh 
Benjamin Fleming 
James H. Lansford 
John H. Wingatc 
William White 



Reuben Taylor 
Japhta Southland 
Richard Deveaux 
John Deviney 
John Anthony 
Ethan Bancker 
Samuel Poole 
John James 
Moses Amos 
John Freeman 
Edwin Johnson 
Francis Bogle 
Nathaniel Sanford 
Colin Cobbins 
Anthony Levery 



Isaac Johnson 



Seamen 

John Smith 
John Lilley 
Edward Martin 
Summer Adams 
George BrowTi 
Thomas Justice 
James Timmons 
George Berry 
James Matthews 
James Bowden 
Benjamin Myrick 
David Birdsall 
John Wharfe 
John Haggerraan 
Stephen Slacey 

Ordinarif Seamen 

Bernard Crandle 
Andrew Norton 
Francis Cadans 
Jonathan Ford 
Peter Diest 
John Roderick 
John M. Strebeck 
John Colston 
John Frank 
Zephta Wood 
John Ewen 
Franklin Drew 
John Bryan 
Elias Wiley 
Henry Wbife 
John Starr 
John Bellamy 



238 



State of New York 



William Robinson 
Ansel Matthewson 
Roswell Hall 



Landsmen 

Elijah Burdine 
John F. Miller 
Israel Bailey 
William Snow 



John Manuel, Boy 

William Newton, Boy 

United States Infantry and Marines 

Henry B. Brevoort, Captain Infantry 
Jonathan Curtis, Sergeant Marines 
Sanford A. Mason, Sergeant 
Andrew D. Scott, Corporal 
Ezra Younglove. Second Corporal 



Privales 



George Scoffield 
John Reems 
Samuel Hadfield 
William Ellis 
Griffin Burnett 
John McCoy 
William Hockensmith 
Henry Tate 
John B. Duncanson 
James Bailey 
Charles Lyman 
Thomas Miller 
John Thompson 
John Osbum 
William Hocker 
Alexander Wright 
Henry Webster 
Charles Harten 
George McManomey 



Joseph Morris 
Frederick Miller 
Aaron Coats 
Frederick Vantruce 
Joshua Trapnell 
John Bromwell 
John Denton 
John H. George 
David Flagg 
William Murray 
William Blair 
William Henry 
Freeman West 
Samuel Cochran 
London Cochran 
Samuel McKenney 
Lyman Griswold 
David Maltzbocker 
William Gray 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 



239 



Brig Caledonia 

Daniel Turner, Lieutenant Commandant 

Jesse Weatherly, Masters' Mate 

J. E. McDonald, Acting Sailing Master 

Benjamin Tolman, Quarter Gunner 

Isaac Peckham, Carpenters' Mate 

John Rax, Boatswains' Mate 

Noah Gates, Steward 

James Walker, Cook 

John O'Neil, Pilot 

Hanson Folks, Boy 

Ezekiel Hatch, Boy 



John Barnes 
Benjamin H. Bailey 
Samuel Cazneau 
Joseph Frost 
Anthony Hysler 



Seamen 

Thomas Lisco 
Lewis Lane 
James Philips 
John McLane 
John Saunders 
William Treen 



Michael L. Brooks 
David Rooks 
Augustus Philips 



Ordinary Seamen 



John Cain 
Peter Fisher 
Peter Williams 



Thomas Green 
John McNitt 
William Shuler 



Landsmen 



Daniel Switzer 
John Hull 
George Grady 



United States Infantry and Marines 



Joseph Beckley, Orderly Sergeant 
James Artis, Second Sergeant 
Thornton Tolliver, First Corporal 



240 



State of New York 



David Bryant 
McCager Bland 
Thonaas H. Bradford 
Charles CoUrick 
John R. Cheetwood 
Joseph Davidson 
David Hickman 
Nathan Holbert 



Paul C. Benja 
Peter Fernandas 
James Jackson 
George Lewis 
George C. Poole 



Privates 

Parker Jarvis 
Richard Mitchell 
John McHowell 
William Nelson 
John Norris 
Garland Parker 
Isaac Perkins 
John Tucker 

Schooner Ariel 

John Packet, Lieutenant Commandant 

Thomas Brownell, Sailing Master 

Gamaliel Darling, Masters' Mate 

Mark Johnson, Quarter Gunner 

John Norton, Steward 

Asel Wilkinson. Pilot 

Samuel Lloyd, Cook 

Edward Storer, Seaman 

James Euer, Seaman 

George Hutchins, Seaman 

John Daniels, Seaman 

Ordinar^f Seamen 

Thomas Palmer 
James Scrivener 
Charles Thompson 
Charles Williams 
Samuel Williams 



John Beason 

John Cook 

John Chester 

John Lucas 



Lands 



Noble Lucas 
James Mitchell 
John Shirk 
William Slows 




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HON. WILLIAM J. STERN 

Mayor ot Erie. Pa., Chairman, Intercities Committee, Perry's Victory 
Centennial Cele!)ration 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 



241 



United States Infantry 
Robert Anderson, Lieutenant 



Thomas Anderson 
Gilbert Bowman 
Francis Burns 



Privates 



Conrad King 
Richard Norris 
William Smith 



Alexander Matlin 
James Ross 



John Davis 
Caleb Diamond 
William Jackson 

16 



Schooner Scorpion 

Stephen Champlin, Sailing Master 
John W. Wendell, Midshipman 
John Clark, Midshipman 
Abner Enos, Pilot 
John Tisfill, Boatswains' Mate 
Simeon Price, Quarter Gunner 
John Johnson, Carpenters' Mate 
James Duncan, Steward 
William Jackson, Cook 
Anthony Bowne, Ordinary Seaman 
James Archer, Boy 
Thomas Gurney, Boy 

Landsmen 

James Sims 
John Sylhammer 
Jacob Toole 

Seamen 

Samuel Parsons 
Charles Ray 
John Yeokem 
Israel Weeks 



242 



State of New York 



Josiah Biggs 
John Clifford 
Henry Cook 
Joseph Delaney 
Isaac Devault 



United States Infantry and Marines 
Joseph Berry, Corporal 

Privates 

Philip Johnson 
Moses McGarvey 
William Reed 
Charles Smilhers 
Edward Welsh 



Peter Austin 
Heyden Armstrong 
Charles Ordeen 



Schooner Somers 

Thomas C. Almy, Sailing Master 

David C. Nichols, Midshipman 

George Stanley, Steward 

Clement Shannon, Boatswains' Mate 

Elliot Smith, Quarter Gunner 

Robert Craig, Quarter Gunner 

Eli Steward, Quarter Gunner 

Josiah Webster, Cook 

John Otto, Quartermaster 

Reuben Wright, Carpenters' Mate 

Isaac B. Seal, Pilot 

Anthony Williams, Boy 

Levi Branch, Ordinary Seaman 

Willard Martin, Ordinary Seaman 

Godfrey Bowman, Landsman 

William Pase, Landsman 

James Taneyhill, Landsman 

Seamen 

James Murray 
Peter Ozee 
John Johnson Ray 
John Smith, 2nd 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 243 



United States Infantry and Marines 

E. L. Burling Hugh Larrimore 

Thomas Crossin John Smith 

Benjamin Hall Joseph Wright 

Sloop Trippe 

Thomas Holdup (Stevens) , Lieutenant Commandant 
Alexander McCully, Masters' Mate 
Patrick Fitz Patrick, Pilot 
John Brown, Boatswains' Mate 
William B. Brady, Steward 
John H. Smith, Masters' Male 
William Boyle, Seaman 
James Clark, Seaman 
Peter Dunn, Seaman 
James Gardner, Seaman 
Samuel Dunn, Ordinary Seaman 
Thomas Jones, Ordinary Seaman 
Palmer Sweet, Ordinary Seaman 
Thomas Folks, Landsman 
Henry McEwen, Landsman 
Alexander McKillup, Landsman 
Jeremiah Ryan, Landsman 

United States Infantry and Marines 

James Blair, Lieutenant (Infantry) 
John Henderson, Lieutenant (Infantry) 
Levi Ellis, Sergeant 
John Brown, Corporal 

Privates 

David L. Blaney Isaac Green 

William Bonner Andrew Holliday 

Sim Flaherty William Harrison 



244 State of New York 



John Decker John McCarty 

Abraham Johnson Garrett Rush 

Ezra Killey Martin Sniff 

John Males* William Woods 

Schooner Ohio 

Daniel Dobbins, Sailing Master 

John W. Palmer, Masters' Mate 

John Cherry, Quarter Gunner 

William Anderson, Seaman 

James Benner, Seaman 

Abednego Hayes, Seanban 

John Daniels, Seaman 

William Ramsdell, Seaman 

James Fritz, Boy 

George Stockton. Captain (United States Army) 

James Coburn. Lieutenant (United States Army) 

John Heddelson, Lieutenant (United Slates Army) 

Schooner Tigress 

Augustus H. M. Conkling, Lieutenant Commandant 

Alexander C. Stout, Midshipman 

Hugh Nelson Page, Midshipman 

James Lee, Pilot 

John Mclntire, Steward 

Henry Griffith, Quarter Gunner 

Peter Brown, Boatswains* Mate 

Robert McGregor, Boy 

Elisha Atwood, Seaman 

Thomas Bradley, Seaman 

John Lewis, Ordinary Seaman 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 



245 



Martin Cronemiller 
Robert Eakin 
James Gray 



Landsmen 

Alexander McClaskey 
Daniel Phillips 
John Rupely 
Jesse Taylor 



John Bates 
George W. Drake 
John Hall 
H. C. Harrington 



United States Infantry and Marines 

William Webster, Corporal 

Privates 

John Martin 
Alexander McCord 
Joseph Poraeroy 
Lewis Vanway 



William Fisher 
Daniel Haley 



Schooner Porcupine 

George Senat, Acting Sailing Master 
Cornelius Denike, Masters' Mate 
Daniel Armitage, Boatswains' Mate 
William Barker, Steward 
Lewis Dugall, Pilot 
Josiah Goodrich, Carpenters' Mate 
Samuel Sweezey, Landsman 
Joseph Woods, Landsman 
Joseph Livingston, Landsman 
Alexander Anderson, Seaman 
Samuel Osborne, Seaman 

Ordinary Seamen 

John Lucas 
Joseph Robertson 
Charles Wilson 



246 State of New York 



United States Infantry and Marines 
David Little, Corporal 

Privates 

Thomas Cavill Samuel Roof 

Lewis Gordon John Rodgers 

James McNealy Henry RoberU 

John Nesbit Samuel Thramin 

ADDITIONAL NAMES 

The following names appear in the official report of the killed 
and wounded in the battle of September 10th, 1813, submitted by 
Commodore Perry, but not on the list filed for the payment of prize 
money : 

Killed 

Christopher Mayhew, Quartermaster Brig Lamence 

John C. Kelly, Private Brig Lawrence 

John Smith, Seaman Brig Lawrence 

Joseph Kennedy, Seaman Brig Lawrence 

Andrew Michael, Seaman Brig Lawrence 

Nelson Peters, Seaman Brig Lawrence 

John Rose. Seaman Brig Lawrence 

James Jones, Seaman Brig Lawrence 

James Carty. Sailmakers' Mate Brig Lawrence 

Thomas Butler, Seaman Brig Lawrence 

Ethelred Sykes, Landsman Brig Lawrence 

Peter Morell. Seaman Brig Niagara 

Isaac Hardy, Ordinary Seaman Brig Niagara 

John White, Boatswains' Mate Schooner Ariel 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 247 



Wounded 

Joseph Lewis, Quartermasters' Mate Brig Larorence 

Henry Schroeder, Ordinary Seaman Brig Lav>rence 

Francis Cummings, Ordinary Seaman Brig Lawrence 

Jeremiah Easterbrook, Seaman Brig Lawrence 

WilHam Davis, Ordinary Seaman Brig Niagara 

Thomas Wilson, Seaman Brig Niagara 

Charles Davidson, Seaman Brig Niagara 

Robert Wilson, Seaman Schooner Ariel 

Killed and Wounded 

September 1 0th, 1813 

Killed 

Brig Lawrence 

John Brooks, Lieutenant Marines 

Henry Laub, Midshipman 

Christopher Mayhew, Quartermaster 

James W. Allen, Ordinary Seaman 

Joseph Kennedy, Seaman 

John C. Kelly, Private Soldier 

John Smith, Seaman 

William Cranston, Ordinary Seaman 

Andrew Michael, Seaman 

Charles Pohig, Seaman 

John Hoffman, Seaman 

Nelson Peters, Seaman 

James Jones, Seaman 

John Rose. Seaman 

James Carty, Sailmakers' Mate 

TTiomas Butler, Seaman 

Wilson Mays, Carpenters* Mate 

John Brown, Seaman 

Ethelred Sykes, Landsman 



248 State of New York 



Philip Sharpley, Corporal Marines 
Jesse Harlan, Private 
Abner Williams, Private 

Brig Niagara 

Peter Morell, Seaman 

Isaac Hardy, Ordinary Seaman 

Schooner Ariel 
John White, Boatsv^^ains' Mate 

Schooner Scorpion 

John Clark, Midshipman 
John Sylhammer, Landsman 

Wounded 

Brig Lawrence 

John J. Yarnall, Lieutenant • 

Duianey Forrest, Lieutenant 

William V. Taylor, Sailing Master 

Samuel Hambleton, Purser 

Thomas Claxton, Midshipman (died of his wounds) 

Augustus Swartwout, Midshipman 

Jonas Stone, Carpenter 

William C. Keene, Master-at-Arms 

Francis Mason, Quartermaster 

John Newen, Quartermaster 

Joseph Lewis, Quartermaster 

Ezekiel Fowler, Quartermaster 

John E. Brown, Quarter Gunner 

Henry Schroeder, Ordinary Seaman 

Benoni Price, Seaman 

Thomas Robinson, Seaman 

Peter Kinsley, Seaman 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 249 



Nathan Chapman, Seaman 

Thomas Hill, Cook 

Barney McCain, Ordinary Seaman 

William Dawson, Seaman 

Westal Johnson, Ordinary Seeunan 

Samuel Spywood, Ordinary Seaman 

Robert Hill, Seaman 

Francis Cummings, Ordinary Seaman 

Thomas Reed, Ordinary Seaman 

William Johnson, Boatswains' Mate 

James Healan, Boatswains' Mate 

George Cornell, Carpenters' Mate 

Thomas Hammond, Armorer 

William Thompson, Seaman 

George Varnum, Seaman 

James Moses, Seaman 

William Rowe, Seaman 

Joseph Denning, Seaman 

William Daring, Seaman 

John Clay, Seaman 

Stephen Fairfield, Seaman 

George Williams, Ordinary Seaman 

Lannon Huse, Seaman. 

James Waddington, Ordinary Seaman 

John Burnham, Seaman 

John Bordain, Seaman 

Andrew Mattison, Seaman 

Jeremiah Easterbrook, Seaman 

Charles Vandyke, Ordinary Seaman 

William Simpson, Ordinary Seaman 

Jesse Williams, Ordinary Seaman 

James Hadley, Ordinary Seaman 

James Burd, Marine 

William Burnett, Marine 

William Baggs, Marine 

David Christie, Marine 

Henry Vanpool, Marine 



250 State of New York 



Thomas Tuft, Marine 
Ellijah Parlin, Landsman 
John Adams, Landsman 
Charles Harrington, Private 
William B. Perkins. Private 
Nathaniel Wade, Ordinary Seaman 
Newport Hazard, Ordinary Seaman 

Brig Niagara 

John J. Edwrards, Lieutenant 

John L. Cummings, Midshipman 

Edward Martin, Seaman (died of his wounds) 

William Davis, Ordinary Seaman (died of his wounds) 

Joshua Trapnel, Marine (died of his wounds) 

Roswell Hall, Landsman 

George Piatt, Seaman 

Elias Wiley, Ordinary Seaman 

Henry Davidson, Seaman 

John M. Strebeck, Ordinary Seaman 

John Freeman, Ordinary Seaman 

James H. Lansford, Seaman 

Thomas Wilson, Seaman 

Charles Davidson, Seaman 

Daniel Bennett, Seaman 

John Felton, Boatswains' Mate 

Sanford A. Mason, Sergeant of Marines 

Andrew D. Scott, Corporal of Marines 

Thomas Miller, Marine 

John Rumas, Marine 

George McManomey, Marine 

George Scoffield, Marine 

Samuel Cochran, Marine 

Brig Caledonia 

James Artis, Second Corporal 
Isaac Perkins, Private 
James Phillips, Seaman 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 251 



Schooner Somen 

Charles Ordeen, Seaman 
Godfrey Bowman, Landsman 

Schooner Ariel 

William SIoss, Ordinary Seaman 
Robert Wilson, Seaman 
John Lucas, Landsman 

Sloop Trippe 

Isaac Green, Twenty-sixth Regiment 
John Maless, Seventeenth Regiment 



APPENDIX K 

OFFICIAL REPORTS. DESPATCHES AND LETTERS OF 
COMMODORE O. H. PERRY 



253 



OFFICIAL REPORTS. DESPATCHES AND LETTERS OF 
COMMODORE O. H. PERRY 

(To the Secretary of the Navy) 

U. S. Brig Niagara, off the Western Sister, 

Lake Erie. Sept. 10, 1813. 
Sir: 

It has pleased the Almighty to give to the arms of the United Slates a signal 
victory over their enemies on this lake. The British squadron, consisting of two 
ships, two brigs, one schooner and one sloop have this moment surrendered to the 
force under my command after a sharp conflict. 
I have the honor to be. Sir. very respectfully. 

Your obedient servant, 

O. H. Perry. 
Hon. William Jones. 

Secretary of the Nav^. 

(To Major General William Henry Harrison) 

U. S. Brig Niagara, off the Western Sister. 
Lake Erie. Sept. 10. 1813. 
Dear General: 

We have met the enemy and they are ours; two ships, two brigs, one schooner 
and one sloop. 

Yours v«th great respect and esteem. 

O. H. Perry. 
Gen. Harrison. 

(To Major General William Henry Harrison) 

September II, 1813. 
Dear Sir: 

We have a great number of prisoners which I wish to land. Will you be so 
good as to order a guard to receive them and inform me of the place? Considerable 

255 



256 State of New York 



numbers have been killed and wounded on both sides. From the best information, 
we have more prisoners than we have men on our vessels. In great haste, 

Yours very truly, 

O. H. Perry. 
Gen. Harrison. 

(To the Secretary of the Navy) 

U. S. Schooner Ariel, Put-in-Bay, 
September 13, 1813. 
Sir: 

In my last I informed you that we had captured the enemy's fleet on this lake. 
I have now the honor to give you the most important particulars of the action. 
On the morning of the 1 0th instant, at sunrise they were discovered from Put-in- 
Bay, where I lay at anchor with the squadron under my command. We got 
under way, the wind light at southwest and stood for them. At 10 a. M. the 
wind hauled to southeast and brought us to windward; formed the line and bore up. 
At fifteen minutes before twelve, the enemy commenced firing; at five minutes before 
twelve the action commenced on our part. Finding their fire very destructive, owing 
to their long guns, and it being mostly directed at the Lawrence, I made sail and 
directed the other vessels to follow for the purpose of closing with the enemy. 
Every brace and bow-line being shot away, she became unmanageable, notwith- 
standing the great exertions of the sailing master. In this situation she sustained 
the action upwards of two hours within canister distance until every gun was 
rendered useless, and the greater part of her crew either killed or wounded. Find- 
ing she could no longer annoy the eneray I left her in charge of Lieutenant Yarnall, 
who I was convinced, from the bravery already displayed by him, would do what 
would comport with the honor of the flag. At half-past two, the wind springing 
up. Captain Elliott was enabled to bring his vessel, the Niagara, gallantly into 
close action. I immediately went on board of her, when he anticipated my wish 
by volunteering to bring the schooners which had been kept astern by the lightness 
of the wind, into close action. It was with unspeakable pain, that I saw, soon 
after I got on board the Niagara, the flag of the Larvrence come down, although 
I was perfectly sensible that she had been defended to the last, emd that to con- 
tinue to make a show of resistance would have been a wanton sacrifice of the 
remains of her brave crew. But the enemy was not able to take possession of her. 




BRIGADIER-GENERAL SAMUEL M. WELCH 

4th Brigade, N. G., N. Y. Grand Marshal. 

Military Parade, Perry's Victory Centenary, 

Buffalo. N. Y. 




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COMMODORE STEPHEN CHAMPLIN 

United Stales Navy 



The Peeuiy's Victory Centenary 257 



and circumstances soon perirulted her flag to again be hoisted. At forty-five 
minutes past two the signal was made for " close action." The Niagara being 
very little injured, I determined to pass through the enemy's line, bore up and 
passed ahead of her two ships and a brig, giving a raking fire to them from the 
starboard guns, and to a large schooner and sloop from the larboard side at half 
pistol shot distance. The smaller vessels at this time having got within grape and 
canister distance, under the direction of Captain Elliott, and keeping up a well 
directed fire, (he two ships, a brig and a schooner surrendered, a schooner and a 
sloop making a vain effort to escape. 

Those officers and men who immediately were under my observation evinced 
the greatest gallantry, and I have no doubt that all others conducted themselves as 
became American officers and seamen. Lieutenant Yarnall, first of the Larttrence, 
although several times wounded, refused to quit the deck. Midshipman Forrest 
(doing duty as lieutenant), and Sailing Master Taylor, were of great assistance 
to me. I have great pain in stating to you the death of Lieutenant Brooks of the 
marines, and Midshipman Laub, both of the Lawrence, and Midshipman John 
Clark of the Scorpiort; they were valuable and promising officers. Mr. Hambleton, 
purser, who volunteered his services on deck, was severely wounded late in the 
action. Midshipmen Claxton and Swartwout of the Larvrence, were severely 
wounded. On board of the Niagara, Lieutenants Smith and Edwards and Mid- 
shipman Webster (doing duty as a sailing master) behaved in a very handsome 
manner. Captain Brevoort of the army, who acted as a volunteer in the capacity 
of a marine officer, on board that vessel, is an excellent and brave officer, and with 
his musketry did great execution. Lieutenant Turner, commanding the Caledonia, 
brought that vessel into action in the most able manner, and is an officer that in all 
situations may be relied on. 

The Ariel, Lieutenant Packet, and Scorpion, Sailing Master Champlin, were 
enabled to get early into action, and were of great service. Captain Elliott speaks 
in the highest terms of Mr. Magrath, purser, who had been despatched in a boat 
on service previous to my getting on board the Niagara; and, being a seaman, since 
the action has rendered essential service in taking charge of one of the prizes. Of 
Captain Elliott, already so well known to the government, it would be almost 
superfluous to speak. In this action he evinced his characteristic bravery and judg- 
ment and since the close of the action, has given me the most able and essential 
assistance. 

I have the honor to enclose you a return of the killed and wounded together with 
a statement of the relative force of the squadrons. The captain and first lieutenant 
17 



258 State of New York 



of the Queen Charlotte and the first lieutenant of the Detroit were killed; Captain 
Barclay, senior officer, and the commander of the Lad]) Prevost, were severely 
wounded ; the commanders of the Hunter and the Cbippeivay slightly wounded. 
Their loss in killed and wounded I have not been able to ascertain; it must how- 
ever have been very great. 

Very respectfully, I have the honor to be. 

Sir, your obedient servant 

O. H. Perry. 
Hon. William Jones, 

Secretary of the Nav^. 

Statement of the Force of the British Squadron 

Ship Detroit, nineteen guns, one on pivot and two howitzers. 

Queen Charlotte, seventeen guns, one on pivot. 

Schooner Lad]) Prevost, thirteen guns, one on pivot. 

Brig Hunter, ten guns. 

Sloop Little Belt, three guns. 

Schooner Chippeway, one gun and two swivels — total sixty-three guns. 

Statement of the Force of the U. S. Squadron 

Brig Lawrence, twenty guns. 

Brig Niagara, twenty guns. 

Brig Caledonia, three guns. 

Schooner Ariel, four guns (one burst early in the action). 

Schooner Scorpion, two guns. 

Schooner Somers, two guns and two swivels. 

Sloop Trippe, one gun. 

Schooner Tigress, one gun. 

Schooner Porcupine, one gun — total fifty-four guns. 

The exact number of the enemy's force has not been ascertained, but I have 
good reason to believe that it exceeded ours by nearly one hundred men. 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 259 



List of Killed and Wounded on Board the United States Squadron 
UNDER Command of Commodore O. H. Perry in the Action of 
I 0th of September, 1813. 

On board the Lawrence. — Killed, John Brooks, lieutenant of marines; Henry 
Laub, midshipman; Christopher Mayhew. quartermaster; eleven seamen, and one 
sail-maker, one carpenter, one corporal, one landsman, one private and three 
marines. WoUNDED, John J. Yarnall, ist lieutenant, slightly; Dulaney Forrest, 
2nd do do; William V. Taylor, sailing master, do; Samuel Harobleton, purser, 
severely; Thomas Claxton, Augustus Swartwout, midshipmen, severely; Jonas 
Stone, carpenter, slightly; William C. Keen, master at arms, do; Francis Mason, 
John Newen, quartermasters, severely; Joseph Lewis, Ezekiel Fowler, quarter- 
masters, severely; John E. Brown, quarter gunner, severely; William Johnson, 
boatswains' mate, do; James Helan, do, slightly; George Cornell, carpenters' mate, 
do, and forty-five seamen and marines. 

(On the morning of the action, the sick list of the Larvrence contained thirty-one 
unfit for duty.) 

On board the Niagara. — Killed, Peter Morell, seaman, Isaac Hardy, ord. 
seaman — two. WoUNDED, John J. Edwards, lieutenant; John C. Cummings, 
midshipnsan; and twenty-three seamen and marines. 

(On the morning of the action, the sick list of the Niagara contained twenty-eight 
unfit for duty.) 

On board the Caledonia. — WouNDED, James Artus, Isaac Perkins, James 
Phillips, slightly — three. 

On board the Somers. — WoUNDED, Charles Ordeen, Godfrey Bowman — two. 

On board the Ariel. — Killed, John White, boatswain's mate — one. 
Wounded, William Sloss, ord. seaman, slightly; Robert Wilson, seaman, do; 
John Lucas, landsman, do — three. 

On board the Trippe. — Wounded, Isaac Green, soldier, 26th regiment, badly; 
John Failes. do I 7th. slightly — two. 

On board the Porcupine. None killed or wounded. 

On board the Scorpion.— KILLED. John Clark, midshipman; John Sylhammer, 
landsman — two. 

On board the Tigress. — None killed or wounded. 

(Two days previous to the action fifty-seven men were unfit for service m the 
small vessels.) 



260 



State of New York 



Recapitulation 

Lawrence 

Niagara 

Caledonia 

Sowers 

Ariel 

Trippe 

Scorpion 



Killed 


Wounded 


Total 


22 


61 


83 


2 


25 


27 





3 


3 





2 


2 


1 


3 


4 





2 


2 


2 





2 


27 


96 


123 


S. 


Hambleton, 
Purser. 




o. 


H. Perry, 






Captain and 


senior officer. 



(Of the ninety-six wounded in the battle of Lake Erie, only four died: most 
of the wounded were fit for duty in a short lime.) 



Commodore Perry to General Harrison 

U. S. Schooner Ariel, September 15, 1813. 

Sir. — The very great assistance in the action of the tenth inst. derived from 
those men you were pleased to send on board the squadron, renders it a duty to 
return you my sincere thanks for so timely a reinforcement. In fact, sir, I may 
say, without those men the victory could not have been achieved, and equally to 
assure you, that those officers and men behaved as became good soldiers and seamen. 
Those who were under ray immediate observation, evinced great ardor and bravery. 
Captain Brevoort, of the 2nd company of infantry, serving on board the Niagara, 
I beg leave to recommend particularly to your notice; he is a brave and gallant 
officer, and as far as I am capable of judging, an excellent one. I am convinced 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 261 



that you will present the merits of this officer to the view of the Hon. Secretary of 
War as I shall to the Hon. Secretary of the Navy. 

Very Respectfully, I am. Sir, 

Your obedient servant, 

O. H. Perry. 
Maj. Gen. W. H. Harrison 

Commander in chief of the N. W. Arm's 



ADDENDA 

BURIALS AT PUT-IN-BAY 

Officers killed at the battle of Lake Erie 

Each of the fleets engaged in the battle of Lake Erie, September 1 0, 
1813, suffered a loss of three officers killed during the contest. The 
remains of these six officers, three American and three British, although 
all of the bodies were more or less mangled, were carefully taken ashore 
the second day after the engagement and buried in one grave, a short 
distance from the shore line, on South Bass Island, in the present village 
of Put-in-Bay, and in the immediate vicinity of the anchorage place of 
the American fleet when the approach of the British fleet was discovered, 
at sunrise, September 1 0. Funeral services of a solemn character, inter- 
mingled with the booming of minute guns from the fleet gathered in the 
bay, were held, attended by the survivors of both fleets who were able to 

be present. 

With the erection of the imposing Perry Memorial at Put-in-Bay. 
commemorating the centennial of the battle, provision was made for 
placing the remains of these six officers in a crypt within the central shaft. 



262 State of New York 



and one feature of the celebration m September, 1913, was the transfer, 
with impressive ceremonies, of these remains to their permanent resting 

place. 

The officers thus honored were the following : 

American: Lieutenant John Brooks, brig Lamence; Midshipman Henry 
Laub, brig LaTprence; Midshipman John Clark, schooner Scorpion. 

British: Captain Robert Finnis, brig Queen Charlotte; Lieutenant John 
Garland, ship Detroit; Lieutenant James Garden, Royal Newfoundland Regiment. 

Midshipman Thomas Claxton. Jr., of the Lawrence, was badly wounded and 
died from his wounds October 7, 1813. 

George D. Emerson. 



APPENDIX L 

NAVAL OPERATIONS AROUND BUFFALO. N. Y. 
Capture of the Detroit and Caledonia, Etc., Etc. 



263 




Cuurtesy of Tht- UiiitL-d Status Histury t 



ln.in Avfiy :. History "f th« L'fiitid SUtf» tttxl iU Poople 

NIAGARA FRONTIER. 



NAVAL OPERATIONS AROUND BUFFALO. N. Y. 
Capture of the Detroit and Caledonia, Etc., Etc. 

IN THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER, 1812, Commodore Isaac Chauncey, 
U. S. Navy, commanding a naval department made up of Lakes 
Erie and Ontario, with headquarters at Sackett's Harbor, N. Y., 
despatched Lieutenant Jesse D. Elliott, a young naval officer attached 
to his staff, to Buffalo for special service. In the latter part of the month 
Lieutenant Elliott arrived at the post assigned to him, vested with almost 
unlimited authority empowering him to purchase or construct (or both if 
necessary) vessels for the naval service on Lake Erie. He entered upon 
the task with energy and skill. By purchase he secured four small mer- 
chant vessels which were subsequently known as the Ohio, Trippe, Somers 
and Amelia. Lieutenant Elliott remained on duty in the Lake Erie sector, 
except a few months in the winter of 1812-13, until after the victory of 
September 10, 1813, in which engagement he commanded the brig 
Niagara until the fleet commander. Commodore Perry, came aboard from 
the disabled Lawrence and sent his own battleflag to the masthead. 

October 8, 1812, two good sized brigs, flying the British flag, were 
seen arriving at Fort Erie, a strong fortification on the Canadian shore, 
directly opposite Buffalo, and dropping anchor under the protecting guns 
of the fort. The attention of Lieutenant Elliott was called to these two 
vessels by a venerable Seneca Indian, Farmer's Brother, then eighty years 
of age but in earlier life a stalwart war chief, who suggested that they 
would make valuable additions to the proposed fleet. Lieutenant Elliott 
at once determined upon the capture of the two vessels, whose names were 
subsequently ascertained to be Detroit and Caledonia. The Detroit was 

265 



266 State of New York 



originally an American war vessel known as the Adams but surrendered 
by General Hull at Detroit in the preceding August, when that post was 
given up to the British. 

Lieutenant Elliott conferred with Colonel Winfield Scott, on duty at 
Buffalo with his regiment, the Second United States Artillery, and with 
the approval of the conmianding general. Captain Nathan Towson, with 
fifty men of the Second Artillery, were detailed as part of the force to 
cross the river in an attempt to seize the two brigs. During the same day 
a number of seamen, ship carpenters, etc., assigned to duty in the prepara- 
tion of the proposed fleet, arrived in Buffalo from New York and other 
points and of these Lieutenant Elliott drafted seventy-five for the dash 
across Niagara river. All being strangers to the waters around Buffalo, 
Captain James Sloan, living in the village of Black Rock, near Buffalo, 
and now a part of the city, a well known skillful and energetic lake cap- 
tain, was selected as the pilot of the expedition. At about one o'clock 
in the morning of the ninth (October) the force was assembled near the 
mouth of Scajaquada creek. Black Rock, and embarked on two large 
scows. Under Captain Sloan's leadership they successfully crossed the 
rough and rapidly flowing waters of Niagara river to the Canadian shore 
and were clambering over the rails of the two British brigs before dis- 
covered. A sharp fight ensued but Lieutenant Elliott and his men were 
successful in clinging to the vessels which were cut from their moorings. 
The Caledonia was brought across the river and beached near the foot of 
(present) Albany street, Buffalo. Not so with the Detroit, however. 
This boat drifted and finally went ashore on Squaw Island, some distance 
below. Daylight coming on, the British made repeated efforts to recap- 
ture her and were met by counter attacks from the Americans, even Scott 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 267 

himself coming to the rescue. Finally in the melee the boat was purposely 
or accidentally fired and destroyed. 

In the early months of the war the control of the lakes was recognized 
as of immense importance and the solution of the problem anxiously con- 
sidered by the cabinet officers of both nations engaged in the war. The 
news of the bold exploit of Lieutenant Elliott was, as rapidly as con- 
ditions then permitted, transmitted to all parts of the country and received 
everywhere with exultation. General Brock, the British military com- 
mander in Upper Canada, soon to lose his own life in the first combat on 
the Niagara frontier, was prompt in acknowledging the great blow his 
cause had received. Congress took appropriate action. On the 29th of 
Jjmuary, 1813, resolutions were adopted recognizing the gallantry of 
Lieutenant Jesse D. Elliott and the party which accompanied him, for 
their bold exploit on the night of October 9, 1812, in setting out from 
Buffalo and capturing from under the guns of Fort Erie on the Canadian 
shore directly opposite, the two British brigs, DelToit and Caledonia, 
which lay there at anchor. The Detroit was burned during the contest 
but Lieutenant Elliott retained the Caledonia, which subsequently became 
one of Commodore Perry's squadron, participating in the battle of Lake 
Erie in which Lieutenant Elliot commanded the Niagara. He was voted 
" an elegant sword with suitable emblems and devices in testi- 
mony of his gallantry and good conduct in boarding and capturing 
the British ships Detroit and Caledonia." 
July 13th following Congress awarded $12,000 prize money for the 
destruction of the Detroit. 

The captured brig Caledonia, together with the four merchant vessels 
which had been purchased by Lieutenant Elliott, were towed into 



268 State of New York 

Scajaquada creek, now in the northern part of the city of Buffalo and in 
which stream at a short distance east of its junction with Niagara river 
was located a flourishing ship yard. TTie work of transforming the mer- 
chant vessels into warships was carried on through the winter under the 
direction of Henry Eckford, a noted ship builder and contractor. Lieu- 
tenant John Pettigrew of the Navy was placed in command of the yard. 
March 24. 1813, Lieutenant Conmiander Oliver Hazard Perry, United 
States Navy, reached Buffalo en route to Erie, Pa., which place, owing 
to the exposed position of Buffalo, had been designated as fleet head- 
quarters, and busied himself that day and the following one in inspecting 
the work on the vessels in the Scajaquada creek navy yard. Here com- 
menced that remarkable leadership which, culminating in the never-to-be- 
forgotten victory of the following tenth of September, through one battle, 
placed his name high on the roll of fame. Commodore Perry — as he 
was subsequently knowTi — reached Erie March 27, 1813, eind assumed 
command of naval operations on Lake Erie. 

Once in Scajaquada creek the five vessels were effectually bottled up 
and as useless as they would have been thousands of miles away. The 
British, besides strengthening Fort Erie, erected batteries along the Can- 
adian shore commanding the mouth of the creek and any attempt on the 
part of the five boats to emerge into the waters of Niagara river would 
have resulted in their almost immediate destruction. This condition pre- 
vailed until the first of June, 1 81 3. On the 27th day of May, Fort 
George, near the mouth of Niagara river, the largest and strongest fortifi- 
cation held by the British on the Canadian shore, was assailed and cap- 
tured by a combined American land and naval force, the former led by 
Colonel Winfield Scott and the sailors and marines by Commodore Perry. 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 269 

The loss of this stronghold by the British was followed by the abandon- 
ment of their entire Niagara frontier line. Now came tf.e opportunity so 
long and anxiously looked forward to and advantage was at once taken 
of it. 

Leaving Fort George Commodore Perry hurried to Buffalo and with 
his usual inspiring energy made preparations for the transfer of the five 
Buffalo vessels to Erie where the balance of the fleet was at anchor. June 
first (1813) the vessels were hauled into Niagara river cind then came 
the incredibly hard task of warping the boats against the rapid current of 
the Niagara. Two hundred soldiers under the command of Captains 
Brevoort and Young were detailed to assist in the operation. With ropes 
over their shoulders and with ox teams as an additional motive power, 
also pulling on ropes attached to the boats, the mighty task was finally 
accomplished although nearly two weeks was required for its carrying 
out. June 13th, under personal command of Commodore Perry in the 
Caledonia as his flagship, the little squadron set sail for Erie and made 
the voyage in safety, reaching that port June 19th, where the five Buffalo 
vessels were merged with the six built at Erie, making eleven vessels of 
various sizes and armaments then under Perry's command. The boats 
built at Erie were the Niagara, Lawrence, Ariel, Porcupine, Tigress and 
Scorpion, and all of these were in the battle, September 10th following. 
Of the five Buffalo vessels one, the Amelia upon its arrival at Erie, June 
19th, was found to be unseaworthy and scuttled in Misery Bay (Erie 
harbor) ; one, the Ohio, was at Erie on special detached service, September 
1 0th ; the other three, the Trippe, Somers and the Caledonia participated 
in the battle of Lake Erie. 

After the battle of the Thames, October 5, 1813, Commodore Perry's 
fleet, including some of the British vessels captured September 1 0th, 



270 State of New York 

was used for the transportation to Buffalo of the army under General 
William Henry Harrison, which had been ordered to the Niagara frontier 
for service. Buffalo was reached October 24th and after a well appointed 
banquet, on the following day, given by the citizens of Buffalo to the 
army and navy officers, Commodore Perry went east never to return to 
the scenes of his great triumph. 

One of the five designated Buffalo vessels, the Trippe, was built in the 
Scajaquada creek shipyard in 1804 and one, the Somers, in a shipyard at 
La Salle in Niagara county, New York, in 1809. The La Salle ship- 
yard is noted as the building place of the Griffon, the vessel of the great 
French explorer, Robert Cavelier De La Salle, the first boat other than 
an Indian canoe to traverse the waters of the great lakes, launched at that 
point May 22, 1679. 



APPENDIX M 

COMMODORE STEPHEN CHAMPLIN. 
United States Navy 



271 




CAPTAIN ROBERI 11. BARCLAY 

Royal Navy, Commanding British squadron at the Battle of 
Lake Erie, September 10, 1813 



COMMODORE STEPHEN CHAMPLIN 
UNITED STATES NAVY 

PROMINENT AMONG THE COMMANDERS of the vessels in Commo- 
dore Perry's fleet at the battle of Lake Erie, September 10, 1813. 
was Stephen Champlin, then holding the rank of sailing master, in 
which capacity he served on that memorable occasion as commander of 
the Scorpion to which vessel fell the distinguished honor of having fired 
the first shot and the last shot from an American vessel in the great battle. 
Champlin was a cousin of Commodore Perry and came with him from 
Rhode Island in the spring of 1813. In an engagement with the British 
off St. Joseph Island in the upper lakes, September 3, 1814, subsequent 
to the battle of Lake Erie, he was badly wounded in the left hip, an 
injury which caused him much pain and suffering all his life although 
he did not go on the retired list until September 13, 1855. He was 
commissioned sailing master in the navy. May 22, 1812, promoted to 
lieutenant December 9, 1814, to commander June 22, 1838, to captain, 
August 4, 1850, went on the retired list September 13, 1855, was pro- 
moted to commodore on the retired list, April 4, 1867, and died in 
Buffalo, N. Y., which had been his home for many years, on February 
20, 1 870, in the eighty-first year of his age. 

Such is an outline but only an outline of his long, useful and honorable 
life. He was buried with all the honors due his rank and distinguished 
career and when the inter-cities committee of the Perry centennial cele- 
bration met in Buffalo. December 11, 1912, a graceful tribute was paid 
to his memory by the placing of a handsome wreath on his grave m 
Forest Lawn cemetery, in the name of the local committee. 

273 

18 



274 State of New York 

Commodore Champlin was born in South Kingston, R. I., November 
1 7, 1 789. His mother and Commodore Perry's father were brother and 
sister, thus making the two heroes first cousins. He commenced his 
sailor life when but sixteen years of age. His main characteristics of 
action were admirably summarized by one of his biographers, who, in 
relating an incident in his career, said : " Here as seems to have been 
the case with everything he did, Champlin acted with more than ordinary 
promptitude, discretion and energy." 

While at Newport, Rhode Island, in the winter of 1812-13, in com- 
mand of a small flotilla of gunboats. Commodore Perry received orders 
to report for duty to Commodore Chauncey, at Sackett's Harbor, New 
York, then the naval commander on Lakes Erie and Ontario. One 
hundred and forty-six men attached to the fleet at Newport were detached 
to go with Perry and on the same day the orders were received, February 
17, 1813, one-third of the men were started for Sackett's Harbor in 
charge of Sailing Master Thomas C. Almy; on the nineteenth another 
third was sent forward under command of Sailing Master Champlin; on 
the twenty-first the remainder were started. Sailing Master William V. 
Taylor in charge. Perry himself following on the twenty-second. 

All four officers finally reached Erie, Pa., passing en route through 
Buffalo, and were attached to the fleet organized and equipped during 
the spring and summer of 1813. Perry became commander of the fleet 
vsnth Taylor as his sailing master on the Lawrence, Champlin was 
assigned to the command of the Scorpion and Almy to the command of 
the Somers and all four occupied these positions at the time of the battle 
September 10, 1813. 

Although classed among the smaller vessels the Scorpion occupied a 
conspicuous position all through the fight. She was assigned to duty as a 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 275 

flanking vessel to the Lawrence as the American fleet sailed toward the 
British fleet and this made her the nearest boat to the British when the 
first gun was fired from the British ship, the Detroit, at 1 1 .45 o'clock on 
the morning of September tenth. 

Ten minutes later the Detroit fired a second shot which struck the 
Lawrence and Commodore Perry directed Champlin to open fire from 
the Scorpion which was immediately done. TTiis was the first shot fired 
by an American vessel in the engagement. 

All through the fight the Scorpion maintained her position close to the 
British vessels. Champlin was a capable seaman, had been a sailor from 
boyhood and was a bold fearless fighter. All that could be accomplished 
with a small vessel and scant armament, only thirty-five men and two 
guns, was performed by him. 

The surrender of the British vessels took place shortly before 3 o'clock 
in the afternoon. During the confusion incident to the surrender and 
with a heavy cloud of battle smoke hanging over both fleets, the wind 
during the day having been very slight, two British vessels, the Little Belt 
and Chippewa, started to sail away. This maneouver was noticed by 
Champlin who signalled to Commodore Perry and in reply received 
orders to go in pursuit of the fleeing vessels. Taking the Trippe with 
the Scorpion, Champlin started immediately after the two British boats. 
That the chase was a long and hard one is seen in the fact that while the 
surrender took place a little before 3 o'clock in the afternoon it was 
10 o'clock at night before Champlin returned to the fleet — but when 
he did return he brought the two vessels of the enemy with his own. The 
shots fired by the Scorpion in this long afternoon chase were the last shots 
fired in the engagement. 



276 State of New York 



For his services in the battle of Lake Erie Commodore Champlin 
received a handsome gold sword from the United States which is in 
the possession of his grandson, Oliver H. P. Champlin of Buffalo, N. Y. 
He was also awarded $2,295 prize money. 

Subsequent to the War of 1812 shifts incident to the naval service 
brought Champlin to Buffalo, where on January 5, 181 7, he was married 
to a lady of that city, Minerva L. Pomeroy. After various tours of 
duty he returned to Buffalo in 1834 which thenceforward to this day 
was destined to be the home of himself and family except a period of 
service on the lakes, when he commanded the old time war vessel the 
Michigan, later knovm as the IVolverine and under that name used dur- 
ing the Perry centennial celebrations in towing the Niagara around the 
lakes. Full of years the honored hero died as he had lived, enjoying the 
respect and esteem of his fellow citizens but above all a thorough patriot 
and one of the old style, typical New England sea captains, of the class 
that carried the American flag to the four quarters of the globe and 
made it respected wherever they went. 

George D. Emerson. 



APPENDIX N 

OFFICIAL REPORT OF CAPTAIN ROBERT H. BARCLAY. ROYAL 
NAVY. COMMANDER OF THE BRITISH SQUADRON AT 
THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 



277 



OFFICIAL REPORT OF CAPTAIN ROBERT H. BARCLAY, ROYAL 
NAVY, COMMANDER OF THE BRITISH SQUADRON AT 
THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE 

H. M. Late Ship Delroil. Put-in-Bay. 
Lake Erie, Sept. 12, 1813. 

Sir. — The last letter I had the honor of writing to you, dated the 
sixth instant, I informed you, that unless certain intimation was received 
of more seamen being on their way to Amherstburg, I should be obliged 
to sail with the squadron, deplorably manned as it was, to fight the enemy 
(who blockaded the port), to enable us to gel supplies of provisions and 
stores of every description. So perfectly destitute of provisions was the 
post, that there was not a day's flour in store, and the crews of the 
squadron under my command were on half allowance of many things, 
and when that was done there was no more. Such were the motives 
which induced Major-General Proctor (whom, by your instructions, I 
was directed to consult, and whose wishes I was enjoined to execute, as 
far as related to the good of the country) to concur in the necessity of a 
battle being risked, under the many disadvantages which I labored ; and 
it now remains to me, the most melancholy task, to relate to you the 
unfortunate issue of the battle, as well as the many untoward circum- 
stances that led to that event. 

No intelligence of seamen having arrived, I sailed on the ninth mstant, 
fully expecting to meet the enemy next morning, as they had been seen 
among the islands; nor was I mistaken. Soon after daylight, they were 
seen in motion in Put-in-Bay, the wind then southwest, and light, giving 

279 



280 State of New York 

us the weather-gauge. I bore up for them, in hopes of bringing them to 
action among the islands; but that intention was soon frustrated by the 
wind suddenly shifting to the southeast, which brought the enemy directly 
to windward. 

The line was formed according to a given plan, so that each ship might 
be supported against the superior force of the two brigs opposed to them 
About ten, the enemy cleared the islands, and immediately bore up, 
under sail, in a line abreast, each brig being also supported by the small 
vessels. At a quarter before twelve, I commenced the action, by firing 
a few long guns; about quarter-past, the American Commodore, also 
supported by two schooners, one carrying four long twelve-pounders, the 
other a long thirty-two and twenty-four pounder, came to close action 
with the Detroit; the other brig of the enemy, apparently destined to 
engage the Queen Charlotte, supported in like manner by two schooners, 
kept so far to windward as to render the Queen Charlotte's twenty-four- 
pound carronades useless, while she was, with the Ladv Prevost, exposed 
to the heavy and destructive fire of the Caledonia, and four other 
schooners, armed with long and heavy guns like those I have already 
described. 

Too soon, alas! was I deprived of the service of the noble and intrepid 
Captain Finnis, who, soon after the commencement of the action, fell; 
and with him fell my greatest support. Soon after, Lieutenant Stokoe, 
of the Queen Charlotte, was struck senseless by a splinter, which deprived 
the country of his services at this very critical period. As I perceived the 
Detroit had enough to contend with, without the prospect of a fresh brig : 
Provincial-Lieutenant Irvine, who then had charge of the Queen Char- 
lotte, behaved with great courage; but his experience was much too 
limited to supply the place of such an officer as Captain Finnis, hence she 
proved of far less assistance than I expected. 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 281 

The action continued with great fury until half-past two, when I per- 
ceived my opponent drop astern, and a boat passing from him to the 
Niagara (which vessel, at this time, was perfectly fresh) ; the American 
Commodore, seeing that as yet that the day was against him (his vessel 
having struck soon after he left her) , and also the very defenceless state 
of the Detroit, which ship was now a perfect wreck, principally from 
the raking fire of the gun-boats, and also that the Queen Charlotte was 
in such a situation that I could receive very little assistance from her, and 
the Lad}) Prevost being at this time too far to leeward, from her rudder 
being injured, made a noble, and, alas! too successful an effort to regain 
it, for he bore up, and, supported by his small vessels, passed within 
pistol-shot, and took a raking position on our bow; nor could I prevent 
it, as the unfortunate situation of the Queen Charlotte prevented us from 
wearing. In attempting, we fell on board her. My gallant First Lieu- 
tenant Garland was now mortally wounded, and myself severely, that I 
was obliged to quit the deck. Manned as the squadron was, with not 
more than fifty British seamen, the rest a mixed crew of Canadians and 
soldiers, and who were totally unacquainted with such service, rendered 
the loss of officers more sensibly felt, and never, in any action, was the 
loss more severe, every officer commanding vessels, and their seconds, 
were either killed or wounded so severely as to be unable to keep the 
deck. 

Lieutenant Buchan, in the Lad^ Prevost, behaved most nobly, and 
did every thing that a brave and experienced officer could do, in a vessel 
armed with twelve-pound carronades, against vessels carrying long guns. 
I regret to state that he was severely wounded. Lieutenant Bignall, of 
the Dover, commanding the Hunter, displayed the greatest intrepidity; 
but his guns being small (two, four and six-pounders), he could be of 
much less service than he wished. 



282 State of New York 

Every officer in the Detroit behaved in the most exemplary manner. 
Lieutenant Inglis showed such calm intrepidity, that I was fully con- 
vinced that, on leaving deck. I left the ship in excellent hands; and for 
an account of the battle after that, I refer you to his letter which he wrote 
to me for your information. 

Mr. Hoffmeister, purser of the Detroit, nobly volunteered his services 
on deck, and behaved in a manner that reflects the highest honor on him. 
I regret to add, that he is very severely wounded in the knee. 

Provincial Lieutenant Purvis, and the military officers. Lieutenants 
Garden, of the Royal Newfoundland Rangers, and O'Keefe, of the 
Forty-first Regiment, behaved in a manner that excited my warmest 
admiration. The few British seamen I had, behaved with their usual 
intrepidity; and, as long as I was on deck, the troops behaved with a 
calmness and courage worthy of a more fortunate issue to their exertions. 

The weather-gauge gave the enemy a prodigious advantage, as it 
enabled them to not only choose their position, but their distance also, 
which they did in such a manner as to prevent the carronades of the 
Queen Charlotte and Lady Prevost from having much effect, while their 
long guns did great execution, particularly against the Queen Charlotte. 

Captain Perry has behaved in a most humane and attentive manner, 
not only to myself and officers, but to all the wounded. 

I trust that, although unsuccessful, you will approve of the motives 
that induced me to sail under so many disadvantages, and that it may be 
hereafter proved that, under such circumstances, the honor of His 
Majesty's flag has not been tarnished. 

I inclose the list of killed and wounded. 

I have the honor to be, &c., 

R. H. Barclay, 

Commander and late senior officer. 

Sir James Lucas Yeo, &c., &c. 



The Perry's Victory Centenary 283 



LIEUTENANT INGLIS TO COMMANDER BARCLAY 

H. M. Late Ship Detroit, 
Sept. 10. 1813. 

Sir. — I have the honor to transmit to you an account of the termina- 
tion of the late unfortunate battle with the enemy's squadron. 

On coming on the quarter-deck, after your being wounded, the enemy's 
second brig, at that time on our weather-beam, shortly afterwards look 
a position on our weather-bow, to rake us; to prevent which, in attempt- 
ing to wear, to get our starboard broadside to bear upon her. a number 
of the guns of the larboard broadside being at this time disabled, fell on 
board the Queen Charlotte, at this time running up to leeward of us. In 
this situation the two ships remained for' some time. 

As soon as we got clear of her, I ordered the Queen Charlotte to 

shoot ahead of us, if possible, and attempted to back our fore-topsail, to 

get astern, but the ship lying completely unmanageable, every brace cut 

away, the mizzentopmast and gaff down, all the other masts badly 

wounded, not a stay left forward, hull shattered very much, a number of 

the guns disabled, and the enemy's squadron raking both ships, ahead 

and astern, none of our own in a situation to support us, I was under the 

painful necessity of hailing the enemy, to say we had struck, the Queers 

Charlotte having previously done so. 

I have the honor to be. &c., 

George Inglis. 

To Captain Barclay. 



APPENDIX O 

TENTH NATIONAL ENCAMPMENT. UNITED SPANISH WAR 

VETERANS 

In Connection with 

THE PERRY'S CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 

Held at Buffalo. N. Y. 



285 



TENTH NATIONAL ENCAMPMENT. UNITED SPANISH 

WAR VETERANS 

In Connection with the Perry Centennial Celebration. Held at Buffalo, N. Y. 

THE Tenth National Encampment of the United Spanish War 
Veterans, a body composed of soldiers, sailors and marines, who 
served during the War with Spain, the Insurrection in the Philip- 
pine Islands, and the Boxer Uprising in China, was held at Buffalo, 
N. Y., on the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th of September, 1913, in connection 
with the Perry Centennial Celebration. Delegates were present from 
thirty-two states, from Alaska, Hawaii, Cuba, the Philippine Islands and 
the Panama Canal Zone, to the number of about six hundred. The en- 
campment was attended by about five thousand non-delegates, members 
of the organization. 

There was held at the same time and place, the annual convention of 
the Ladies' Auxiliary of the United Spanish War Veterans, which was 
attended by about three hundred delegates and about one thousand 
visiting members from substantially the same territory. 

The sessions were held at the Broadway Auditorium, which was 
placed at the disposal of the encampment by the authorities of the city 
of Buffalo. The usual business of the encampment was transacted, and 
the delegates and visiting comrades participated in the great parade held 
on Thursday, September 4th. About three thousand ex-soldiers and 
sailors were in line, including many officers of distinction, medal of honor 
men, survivors of the sinking of the Maine and others whose names and 
records as devoted and patriotic soldiers and sailors are well known. 

On Thursday evening, a banquet was tendered to the visiting dele- 
gates by the members of the Buffalo camps, at which formal addresses 

287 



288 State of New York 

were delivered by Representative Charles B. Smith. Major Henry W. 
Brendel, Elias W. Beach, Commander-in-Chief Oscar T. Taylor, and 
others. 

On Friday afternoon, all visiting delegates and comrades, including 
those attending the encampment of the Ladies' Auxiliary, were taken to 
Niagara Falls, and around the Gorge Route on special trains, and on 
Friday night, the Military Order of the Serpent, a fraternal organization 
deriving its membership from the United Spanish War Veterans, gave 
a fantastic parade, and initiation. 

TTie session concluded on Saturday, with the installation of John 
Lewis Smith, of Washington, D. C, as Commander-in-Chief. 

The Legislature of the State of New York appropriated the sum of 
$10,000 for the purposes of this encampment, which was disbursed under 
the direction of the Joint Buffalo City Board, composed of delegates 
from the Seyburn Liscum Camp No. 12, Buckey O'Neil Camp No. 15, 
and John P. Hughes Camp No. I 7. 

The action of the New York State Legislature and the hospitality of 
the city of Buffalo was greatly appreciated by the officers and members 
of the encampment. TTie organization numbers about fifty thousand, and 
the Buffalo Encampment was generally regarded as the most successful 
and satisfactory that had yet been held. The co-operation and assistance 
of the Perry Centennial Commission, and especially its Secretary, Mr. 
George D. Emerson, contributed in a large measure toward bringing 
about this desirable result. 

Hamilton Ward, 

Past Commander-in-Chief, 
U. S, W. V. 



IN MEMORIAM 



Clinton Bradford Herrick, M. D., 

Perry's Victory Centennial Commission, State of New York, 

Died, March 23, 1915 

Whereas, Since the commencement of the present year, the Perry's 
Victory Centennial Commission has sustained a loss in the death of Dr. 
Clinton B. Herrick of Troy, who died March 23, 1915, and who 
was one of the original members of the Commission, appointed by Governor 
Charles E. Hughes, July 20, 1910. and 

Whereas, Our late associate was always an active, efficient member 
of the Commission, thoroughly in love with its work, and unceasing in his 
efforts to advance it in every way to its great consunamation ; therefore be it 

Resolved, That we the members of the Perry's Victory Centennial 
Commission, feeling a deep sense of loss in the death of our late associate, 
desire to express our regret at his passing away and that in the death of 
Dr. Herrick the Commission has lost a valued member, the state an 
upright, honorable and efficient official, and his family a kind husband 
and father. 

Resolved, That we extend to the widow and daughter of the deceased 
our sincere sympathies and direct that a copy of these resolutions be for- 
warded to them and spread in full upon the records of the Commission. 



Adopted, June 28. 1915 



289 



19 



Ind 



ex 



291 



Ind 



ex 



Adams, American vessel, 1 1 7. 

Adler, Hon. Simon L., appointed 
member of Perry's Victory Centennial 
Commission, 5 ; member of executive 
committee, 5 ; executive committee. 
Interstate Board, 6; visits various 
celebrations, I 5 ; at official banquet, 
79. 

Agricultural statistics, northwestern ter- 
ritory, 1 88. 

Almy, Thomas C, Sailing Master, 
U. S. Navy, Lake Erie, sails wdth 
American fleet, 122; leaves New- 
port, Rhode Island, for Lake Erie. 
129. 

Amelia, American vessel. Perry fleet. 
Lake Erie, 115, 118, 122. 

American fleet, battle of Lake Erie, 
losses in battle. 111, 153; under 
way, 122; strength, 123, 258; 
lack of crews, 132; sails from Erie 
134; movements, 135, 136, 137, 
1 40 ; crews, I 38, 1 39 ; prize money 
for. 229, 230; muster roll, 233-247. 

America's message to the nations, 193- 
206. 

Appendices, 103-288. 

Appropriations by State of New York, 
4; act making, 224. 

Armaments, American and British 
fleets. Lake Erie, compared, 123, 
258. 



Ariel, American vessel, Lake Erie, 66, 
122; at battle of Lake Erie, 124, 
138, 141; officers and crew, 240, 
241. 246. 247; killed in battle. 248; 
wounded in battle. 25 I . 

Arrival of the Niagara, Buffalo celebra- 
tion. 28. 

Automobile parade, Buffalo celebration, 
87. 

B 

Baker, Mrs. Howard Hamilton, at 
public meeting. Daughters of 1812, 
Buffalo celebration, 8 1 , 82. 

Balliett, Harold J., Secretary, 
Buffalo Perry Centennial Committee, 
11. 

Balloon Ascensions, Buffalo celebration, 
88. 

Bancroft, Hon. George, account 
battle of Lake Erie. 105, 128-155. 

Banquet, Buffalo Yacht Club, 13; 
official. 52-79. 

Barclay, Robert H., Captain, 
Royal Navy, commander British 
fleet, Lake Erie, 1 ; present to Com- 
modore Perry, 60; references to, 45, 
65, no. 111. 112, 123; reports 
British losses, 153; fleet, 182; official 
report, battle of Lake Erie. 277, 279. 
280. 281, 282. 

Beck, William and Sons Company, 
street decorations, Buffalo celebration, 
88, 89. 



293 



294 



Index 



Bell, Mrs. Dorcas, work on Perry 

battle flag, 121. 
Belmont. Hon. August, address at 

official banquet, 73. 

Bissell, Hon. Herbert P., address 
at official banquet, 74, 75, 76. 

Black Rock (Buffalo), New York, 
boats at, 116, I 17, 129, 131, 185; 
La Salle's vessel, the Griffon, 188. 

Boy Scouts, at Women's meeting, Buf- 
falo celebration, 5 1 . 

Brevoort, Henry B., Captain, U. S. 
Army, services, 1 1 7, 257, 269. 

Britain, Great, retains military posts, 58. 
59; war with Napoleon, 197. 

British fleet. Lake Erie, 1, 65, 66; 
strength, 123, 258; surrenders, 125; 
losses at battle of Lake Erie. Ill, 
126, 153; under sail, 132; discov- 
ered, 137; movements, 138, 140; 
crews, 1 39. 

Brooks, John, Lieutenant, U. S. 
Marine Corps, Lake Erie, recruiting 
for the Perry fleet, 122; mortally 
wounded. 143; burial, 184, 261, 
262; congressional action, 231; 
report Commodore Perry, 257. 

Breakers Hotel, banquet at, 15. 

Brown, Mrs. C. Elwood, at public 
meeting. Daughters of 1812. Buffalo 
celebration, 82. 

Brown, Noah, shipwright at Erie, Pa., 
64, 114, 119. 120. 129. 

Buehler House, Erie, Pa., Perry head- 
quarters, 1 19. 

Buffalo, City of. New York, celebra- 
tion dates, 10; references to, 53, 107, 



115; banquet to Commodore Perry, 
1 26 ; Lieutenant Elliott at, 1 85, 265 ; 
population, 187; celebration, 188; 
naval operations at, 263-270. 

Bufl^alo Chapter, Daughters of 1812, 
public meeting, Buffalo celebration, 
80, 81, 82. 

Buffalo Perry's Victory Centennial 
Committee, I ; officers and members, 
11, 211-214. 

Buffalo vessels for Perry's fleet, 65, 
114, 117, 131; transferred to Erie, 
Pa., 118. 

Buffalo Yacht Club, Perry Centennial 
banquet, 1 3. 

Burial of officers at Put-in-Bay, 111, 
153, 154, 184, 261, 262. 

Butler, Hon. Edward H., Chair- 
man of Citizens' Reception Committee, 
Buffalo celebration, greets the Perry 
flagship Niagara, 28; at official ban- 
quet, 78; reference to, 91 ; address 
at meeting of colored people, Buffalo 
celebration, 94. 



Caledonia, British vessel, captured, 1 3, 
185, 263, 265. 266, 267; American 
vessel in Perry's fleet at battle of 
Lake Erie, 66; references to, 97, 
115, 118, 122. 123, 131; position 
in battle of Lake Erie, 138, 140, 
141, 145, 147, 151; officers and 
crew, 239, 240; wounded in battle. 
250. 

Camels, use of at Erie, Pa., 120, 134. 

Canada, making a nation of, 199, 200. 



Index 



295 



Cant, Roderick J., presents flag to 
Daughters of 1812, Buffalo celebra- 
tion, 81. 

Champlin, Stephen, Commodore, 
U. S. Navy, grave in Buffalo visited, 
I 3 ; sails with American fleet, I 22 ; 
(ires first shot at battle of Lake Erie, 
124, 275; leaves Newport, Rhode 
Island, 129; arrives at Erie, Pa., 
1 33 ; captures British vessel, Chip- 
pewa, 152; report Commodore 
Perry, 257; sketch of life, 271-276; 
lives in Buffalo, 276. 

Chauncey, Isaac, Commodore, U. S. 
Navy, conmiander on Lakes Erie and 
Ontario, 64, 65, 114, 115, 180; ac- 
cepts Perry's offer of service, 128, 
reference to, 1 32 ; correspondence 
with Commodore Perry, 1 33, 1 35 ; 
details Lieutenant Elliott to Buffalo, 
185, 265. 

Chicago, Illinois, celebration dates, 10; 
reference to, 107 ; population, 187. 

ChippeTva, British vessel. Lake Erie, 65, 
68, 118; captured by Commodore 
Champlin of Perry's fleet, 152. 

Citizens' Bank of Buffalo, designated 
depository of commission funds, 6. 

Clark, John, Midshipman, U. S. 
Navy, Lake Erie, burial, 184, 261, 
262; congressional action, 232; re- 
port of Commodore Perry, 257. 

Clarke, George H., Captain, U. S. 
Navy, History of U. S. Navy, 184 

Clarke, George Rogers, reference 
to, 108. 



Claxton, Thomas, Midshipman, U. 

S. Navy, Lake Erie, congressional 
action, 231 ; report of Commodore 
Perry, 257. 

Cleveland, Ohio, celebration dates, 1 ; 
reference to, 1 08 ; Perry monument 
at, 127, 155; population, 187. 

Colored people, meeting of, at Buffalo 
celebration, 93, 94, 95. 

Commissioners, New York State, for 
Perry's Victory Centenary, appointed, 
4, 5 ; organization of, 5 ; officers and 
employees, 5; meetings, 16; officers 
and members. 174, 207, 209, 210. 

Committees, Interstate Board, Perry's 
Victory Centennial Commissioners, 
173. 

Conners, William J., appointed 
member of Perry's Victory Centennial 
Commission, 4 ; elected chairman of 
New York commission, 5 ; accom- 
panies escort for Perry flagship 
Niagara, around the lakes, 1 5 ; ad- 
dress at official banquet, 54, 55, 56; 
chairman of New York commission, 
209. 

Conners, Miss Ruth, selected to un- 
veil Perry statue in Buffalo, 98. 

Cornell, Mrs. Dudley E., at pub- 
lic meeting. Daughter.-; of 1812, 
Buffalo celebration, 82. 

Court of Honor, Buffalo, N. Y., 89. 

Cutler, Harry, elected Auditor- 
General, Interstate Board, 6. 



296 



Index 



D 

Daughters of 1812, Niagara Frontier, 
Buffalo Chapter, public meeting, 
Buffalo celebration, 80, 81, 82, 83, 
84. 

Davenport, Mrs. Esther C, ap- 
pointed chairman. Women's Commit- 
tee, Perry's Victory Centenary, 
Buffalo, N. Y., 12; presides at public 
meeting, 30; work of committee, 91, 
92, 93; presented with silver set, 93; 
members of committee, 215, 217, 
218, 219. 

Day, Moses, presented with medal, 93. 

Departure of the Niagara, Buffalo cele- 
bration, 89, 90. 

Detroit, British vessel burned at Buffalo, 
185, 263, 265, 266; prize money 
for destruction, 267. 

Detroit, British vessel of Captain Bar- 
clay's fleet. Lake Erie, 65, 66 68, 
122, 123, 124, 125, 136; begins 
battle of Lake Erie, 1 40 ; in the bat- 
tle. 141, 142, 146, 150. 151; sur- 
renders, 151 ; appearance after battle, 
153. 

Detroit, Michigan, meeting at, 9; cele- 
bration dates, 1 ; surrender of, 58, 
266; reference to, 107; populati n, 
187. 

Dewitt Clinton train, 90. 

Dickson, C. A., presented with medal, 
93. 

Dobbins, Daniel, Sailing Master, 
U. S. Navy, Lake Erie, builds boats 
at Erie. Pa., 64, 114, 119, 120; 



ordered to Buffalo, 129; sails Laki 
Erie, 180, 181; services of, 181. 

Dobbins, Captain W., eulogizes Com- 
modore Perry, 127. 

Donovan, William J., Captain Com- 
pany " I " 1 St New York Cavalry, 
in military parade, Buffalo celebra- 
tion, 85. 

" Don't give up the ship," battle flag. 
Commodore Perry, 48, 66, 70, 121. 
127, 136, 148, 157. 

Dow, Mrs. Charles M., address at 
Women's meeting, Buffalo celebra- 
tion, 50, 51. 

Doyle, James F., appointed chief of 
publicity bureau, Buffalo celebra- 
tion, 5. 

Duluth, Minnesota, reference to. 107. 



EcKFORD, Henry, boat builder, 114, 
116, 117, 131, 181, 231, 268. 

Edwards, John J., Lieutenant, U. S. 
Navy, Lake Erie, promoted, 123; re- 
port of Commodore Perry, 257. 

Elliott, Jesse D., Lieutenant, U. S. 
Navy, Lake Erie, captures British 
vessels at Buffalo, 13, 115, 181, 
263, 265, 266; joins Perry's fleet. 
122; references to, 131, 185, 186; 
takes command of Niagara, 1 35 ; in 
battle of Lake Erie, 141, 145, 147. 
1 49, 151; Sailing Master William 
V. Taylor's references to, 158; con- 
gressional action, 231, 267; report 
Commodore Perry, 257. 



Index 



297 



Emerson, George D., appointed 
member of Perry's Victory Centen- 
nial Commission, 4 ; elected Secretary, 
5 ; legislative and publicity committee. 
Interstate Board, 6; at Interstate 
Board meeting, Washington, D. C, 
7; elected chairman Buffalo Perry's 
Victory Centennial Committee, 1 1 ; 
address at banquet Buffalo Yacht 
Club, 1 3 ; visits various celebrations, 
1 5 ; writer on Niagara frontier his- 
tory, 45 ; acknowledgments of 
Women's Committee, 5 1 ; at official 
banquet, 79; acknowledgments of 
United Spanish War Veterans, 288. 

Employees, Perry's Victory Centennial 
Commission, 5. 

Erie, Battle of Lake, references to, 1. 
30, 57, 65, 66, 67. 68. 105. 111. 
113. 124. 125. 128. 140, 142, 
143, 195, 196; incidents, 145, 146, 
147. 148, 149, 150, 151 : report of 
Commodore Perry, 256, 257, 258; 
report of Captain Robert H. Barclay, 
Royal Navy, 277. 279, 280, 281. 

282. 

Erie Canal, cannon firing at opening, 81 . 

Erie, Pennsylvania, celebration dates, 
10: references to, 108, 115, 116; 
Commodore Perry at, 119; building 
boats at, 120, 130; harbor of, 120, 
133, 155; work of women, 121; 
American fleet at, 126; population, 
187. 

Essex, naval gunboat, escorts Perry flag- 
ship Niagara around lakes, 14. 



Executive Committee, Perry's Victory 
Centennial Commission, appointed. 5. 



Fairport, Ohio, celebration dates. 10. 

Farmer's Brother, Indian chief at 
Buffalo. 265. 

Financial statement, Perry's Victory 
Centennial Commission, 99, 1 00. 

FiNNis, Robert, Captain, Royal 
Navy, 1 32 ; killed at battle of Lake 
Erie, 146; burial at Put-in-Bay, 184. 
261. 262; report Captain Robert 
Barclay. 280. 

FiNNUCANE. Hon. T. W.. at official 
banquet. 79. 

Firemen's parade. Buffalo celebration, 
85 ; companies participating, 86, 87. 

Firemen's spectacular run, Buffalo cele- 
bration, 88. 

Fireworks display, Buffalo celebration, 
84. 

Flag, Commodore Perry's battle. 
" Don't give up the ship," 48, 66, 
70. 121, 124, 127, 136, 148, 157. 

Fleet, American, Lake Erie, losses in 
battle. 111, 153; under way, 122; 
strength, 123, 258; crews lacking, 
132; sails from Erie, Pa., 134; 
movements, 135, 136. 137, 140; 
crews, 1 38, 1 39 ; prize money, 229, 
230; muster roll, 233-247. 

Fleet, British, Lake Erie, losses at bat- 
tle of Lake Erie. Ill, 126. 153 
under sail, 132; discovered, 137 
movements. 1 38, 1 40 ; crews. 1 39 
strength, 258. 



298 



Index 



Fleets, comparative strength, British and 
American, Lake Erie, 123. 

Ford, Cornelius, 93. 

Fort George, Canada, Niagara frontier, 
attack on, 64, 116, 131, 268. 

Forrest. Dulaney, Lieutenant, U. S. 
Navy, Lake Erie, wounded at battle 
of Lake Erie, 143; report Com- 
modore Perry, 257. 

Freedlander, J. H., Architect, de- 
sign for Perry Memorial accepted, 7, 
73; description of Memorial, 159. 

Fuhrmann, Hon. Louis P., Mayor 
of Buffalo, N. Y. Address at ban- 
quet, Buffalo Yacht Club, 13; ad- 
dress at opening exercises, Buffalo 
celebration, 29 ; address at of&cial 
banquet, 53. 

Fulton, Mrs. Robert, address at 
Women's meeting, Buffalo celebra- 
tion, 45, 46, 47, 48; presides at 
public meeting, Daughters of 1812, 
Buffalo celebration, 81. 



Gardiner, Asa Bird, address at 
official banquet, 57-69. 

Garden, James, Lieutenant, Royal 
Newfoundland Regiment, killed at 
the battle of Lake Erie, 261 ; burial 
at Put-in-Bay, 184, 261, 262; report 
of Captain Robert H. Barclay, 282. 

Garland, John, Lieutenant, Royal 
Navy, Lake Erie, burial, 184. 261, 
262 ; killed at the battle of Lake Erie, 
261 ; report of Captain Robert H. 
Barclay, 281 . 



George, Fort, Canada, Niagara frontier, 
attack on, 64, 116. 131, 268. 

Glynn, Hon. Martin H., member 
Perry's Victory Centennial Commis- 
sion, 4 ; appointed on executive com- 
mittee, 5. 

Goat Island, Niagara river, legends, 46, 
47. 

Grady, Hon. Thomas F., favors leg- 
islation regarding Perry's Victory 
Centenary, 4. 

Green Bay, Wisconsin, celebration dates, 
10. 

Greetings from the women of this cen- 
tury, 50, 51. 

Greve, Mrs. T. L. A., at public meet- 
ing. Daughters of 1812, Buffalo cele- 
bration, 82. 

Griffon, The, vessel of Robert Cavelier 
De La Salle, 188; building, 270. 

H 

Haffa, George J., Colonel, 65th 
Regiment Infantry, N. G. N. Y., in 
military parade, Buffalo celebration, 
85 ; in firemen's parade, Buffalo cele- 
bration, 85. 

Hahn, Charles J., clerk to Perry's 
Victory Centennial Commission, 5. 

Hamlin, Mrs. Harry, reception at 
home of, Buffalo celebration, 85, 92. 

Harris, Andrew L., Governor of 
Ohio, appoints Perry's Victory Cen- 
tennial Commissioners, 3. 

Harris, Thomas W., Lieutenant, 
Naval Militia, New York, in com- 
mand of naval gunboat Harvk. 1 4. 



Index 



299 



Harrison, William Henry, Major 
General, U. S. Army, references to, 
57. 58, 65. 110, 111. 122, 123, 
126. 130; at Buffalo. 90; visits Com- 
modore Perry, 1 35 ; message from 
Commodore Perry. 152. 255. 260. 

Hauenstein, Mrs. Alfred G.. Ode 
to Commodore Perry. Buffalo cele- 
bration. 37-44. 

Ha^k, naval gunboat, escorts Perry 
flagship Niagara around the lakes. 
14; trip. 15. 

Herrick. Clinton B., M. D.. ap- 
pointed member of Perry's Victory 
Centennial Commission, 4; death. 4; 
member, executive committee. Inter- 
state Board, 6; visits various celebra- 
tions, 1 5 ; resolutions upon death, 
289. 

Hill, Hon. Henry W., resolutions in 
New York Senate favoring Perry's 
Victory Centenary, 3, 221, 223. 

History, U. S. Navy, Captain George 
H. Clarke, 184. 

Holdup (Stevens) Thomas, Lieu- 
tenant, U. S. Navy, Lake Erie, pro- 
moted, 123; in battle of Lake Erie, 
151; captures British boat Little Belt. 

152. 

Horton, Mrs. John Miller, Re- 
gent, Buffalo Chapter, Daughters or 
1812, 83. 

Hughes. Hon. Charles E., Gov- 
ernor of New York, appoints Perry's 
Victory Centennial Commissioners, 4. 

Hull, William, Brigadier General 
U. S. Army, surrenders Detroit, 58. 



Hunter, British vessel. Lake Erie, 65, 
118, 138; surrenders. 151. 

Huntington, Webster P., Ohio 
Commission, elected Secretary- 
General. Interstate Board, Perry's 
Victory Centennial Commissioners. 6. 
171 ; poem. Priscilla, 175. 

I 

Illinois, state of. Perry's Victory Cen- 
tennial Commissioners, 3, 173: refer- 
ence to, 1 79. 

Indian raids, 59. 

Inglis, George, Lieutenant, Royal 
Navy, Lake Erie, report of Captain 
Robert H. Barclay, 280; letter to 
Captain Barclay, 283. 

Intercities Committee, Perry's Victory 
Centenary, meeting in Buffalo, 1 2 ; 
visits Commodore Champlin's grave 
and other places, 1 3. 

Interstate Board, Perry's Victory Cen- 
tennial Commissioners, organized, 6; 
meetings, 7, 8, 9; personnel, 169- 
174: officers, 171, 172; committees, 
172, 1 73; commissioners, 173, 174. 

Iroquois Hotel. Buffalo, N. Y., banquet 
of Buffalo Yacht Club, 13; official 
banquet, 52-79; reception at, 92. 

J 

Jackson, Hon. Edward D., ap- 
pointed member of Perry's Victory 
Centennial Commission, 5 : member of 
executive committee, 5. 

Jewett, General Edgar B., elected 
vice-chairman, Buffalo Perry's Vic- 



300 



Index 



tory Centennial Committee, 1 1 ; 
elected chairman of Buffalo commit- 
tee, 1 1 ; at opening exercises, Buffalo 
ceiebiation, 29. 

Jones, John Paul, reference to, 108. 

Jones, Mrs. Joseph T., action of, at 
Buffalo celebration, 92. 

Jones, Thomas, address at meeting of 
colored people, Buffalo celebration, 
95. 

Jones, Hon. William, Secretary of 
the Navy, 1 1 6. 

K 
Kean, Rev. M. J., address at official 
banquet, 78. 

Keifer, General J. Warren, 
United States Commissioner, at 
official banquet, 79 ; Interstate Board, 
Perry's Victory Centennial Commis- 
sioners, 1 73. 

Kentucky, State of. Perry's Victory 
Centennial Commissioners, 3, 1 74 ; 
recruits from, 122, 123, 136. 

Killed and wounded (American), battle 
of Lake Erie, 125, 247. 248, 259, 
260. 



LaJjj Prevosi, British vessel, Lake Erie, 
35, 65. 68; surrenders, 125; posi- 
tion in battle, I 38. 

Lake Erie, battle of, references to, 1, 
30. 57, 65. 66, 67, 68. Ill, 113. 
124, 125, 126, 140, 142, 143, 
195, 196; incidents. 145, 146, 147, 
1 48. 1 49. 150, 151: report of Com- 



modore Perry, 256, 257, 258; report 
of Captain Robert H. Barclay, Royal 
Navy, 277, 279, 280, 281, 282. 

La Salle, Robert Cavelier De, 
references to, 46, 80; builds the 
Griffon, 270. 

Laub, Henry, Midshipman, U. S. 
Navy, Lake Erie, killed at the battle 
of Lake Erie, 146; burial, 184, 261, 
262; congressional action, 231 ; report 
of Commodore Perry, 257. 

Laturence, flagship, American fleet. Lake 
Erie, 8; at battle of Lake Erie, 33, 
66, 67, 74, 109, 111, 121, 122, 
1 24 ; named, 1 32 ; references to, 1 34, 
1 36 ; position in battle of Lake Erie, 
1 38 ; participates in the battle of Lake 
Erie, 140, 141. 145. 147, 148. 
153; officers and crevs^, 233, 234, 
235, 236, 246, 247; killed in battle, 
247, 248; wounded in battle, 248, 
249, 250. 

Legislative proceedings. State of New 
York, Perry Victory Centenary, 22 1 , 
223, 224, 225, 226. 

LetchwoRTH, Ogden p., appointed 
member of Perry's Victory Centennial 
Commission, 4 ; resignation, 4 ; vice- 
president general. State of New York, 
Interstate Board, 6. 

Little Belt, British vessel. Lake Erie, 65, 
68, 118; position in battle of Lake 
Erie, 138; captured, 152. 

Livingston, Rev. J. W., chairman of 
committee for meeting of colored peo- 
ple, Buffalo celebration, 93. 

Lorain, Ohio, celebration dates, 10. 



Index 



301 



Louisiana, State of. Perry's Victory 
Centennial Commissioners, 3, 1 74. 

LoWRY, George M., Lieutenant, U. S. 
Navy, comaninds Niagara, Perry 
Victory Centenary, 28. 

Mac-Mc 

MacDonald, Dr. James A., at Put- 
* in-Bay, 1 5 ; address at Put-in-Bay, 

America's message to the nations. 
193-206. 

MacFarland, Monroe, Major, 29th 
Infantry, U. S. Army, opens Fort 
Porter, Buffalo, to Women's Com- 
mittee, Buffalo celebration, 92. 

McDonald, J. E., Masters' Mate, 
U. S. Navy, Lake Erie, sails with 
American fleet, 122. 

McDonnell & Sons, Buffalo, N. Y.. 
erect statue to Commodore Perry at 
Buffalo, 97. 

M 

Madison, American vessel. Lake On- 
tario, 115. 116. 

Magrath, Humphrey, purser, U. S. 
Navy, Lake Erie, sails with American 
fleet, 122; in battle of Lake Erie, 
147. 257. 

Maiden, Canada. British headquarters, 
57, 134, 136. 

Malone. Hon. Dudley Field, As- 
sistant Secretary of State, address at 
official banquet, 69, 70. 

Malone, Hon. John F., appointed 
member of Perry's Victory Centennial 



Commission, 4; elected chairman 
executive committee, 5 ; at reception of 
the Perry flagship Niagara, Buffalo 
celebration, 28; at official banquet, 
52; proposes statue of Commodore 
Perry at Buffalo, 96. 
Mallory, John S., Colonel, 29th 
Regiment, U. S. Army, in parade, 
Buffalo celebration, 84. 
Mar^ Alice, pleasure yacht of William 
J. Conners, chairman New York 
Commission, escorts Perry flagship 
Niagara around the lakes, 15. 

Mason, Elizabeth Champlin. mar- 
ries Commodore Oliver Hazard 
Perry, 63. 

Masonic ceremonies, Put-in-Bay, laying 
corner stone of Perry Memorial, 15. 

Mays, Wilson, carpenters' mate, U. S. 
Navy, Lake Erie, brave action, 1 46. 

Mead, Major General, at Erie, 
Pa.. 181. 

Men's Club of St Philip's Church, Buf- 
falo, assists in meeting of colored peo- 
ple, Buffalo celebration, 93. 

Merritt, Hon. Edwin A., favors 
legislative action. Perry's Victory 
Centenary, 4. 

Message of America to the nations, 193- 
206. 

Meyer. Samuel, employed by Perry's 
Victory Centennial Commission, 5. 

Michigan, State of. Perry's Victory 
Centennial Commissioners appomted, 
3, 173. 



302 



Index 



Military Day, Buffalo celebration, 84, 

91. 
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, celebration 

dates, 10; population. 187. 
Minnesota, State of. Perry's Victory 

Centennial Commissioners appointed, 

3, 173. 
Misery Bay, Erie harbor, Pennsyl- 
vania, 8, 269. 
Monroe, Michigan, celebration dates, 1 0. 
Monroe, James, President of the 

United States, announces death of 

Commodore Perry, 68. 
Moore, Caroline Perry, presents 

American flag to the city of Buffalo, 

29; exercises at flag presentation, 29. 
Morrell, U. S. Revenue cutter, detailed 

for escort duty to the Perry flagship 

Niagara around the lakes, 1 4. 
MoTT, Colonel John T., appointed 

member of Perry's Victory Centennial 

Commission, 4; resigns, 4. 
Municipal Park Band, Buffalo, N. Y., 

services, Buffalo celebration, 88. 
Murphy, Clarence J., appointed 

stenographer to the Perry's Victory 

Centennial Commission, 5. 
Murphy, Edward P., assistant chief, 

Buffalo Fire Department, grand mar- 
shal, firemen's parade, Buffalo cele- 
bration, 85 ; in charge of firemen's 
spectacular run, Buffalo celebration, 
88. 
Muster Roll, American fleet. Lake Erie, 
233-247. 



N 

Napoleon, war with Great Britain, 
197, 202, 205. 

Nash, Rev. J. Edward, address at 
meeting of colored people, Buffalo 
celebration, 93, 94. 

Nationhood, principles of, 202, 203. 

Newport, Rhode Island, welcomes 
Perry. 126. 

Newspaper assistance, Buffalo celebra- 
tion. 95. 

New York Central train, Buffalo cele- 
bration, 90. 

New York city, honors Perry and Har- 
rison. 127; public buildings decor- 
ated. 127. 

New York. State of. Perry's Victory 
Centennial Commissioners appointed, 
3, 4; meetings of Commission. 16; 
members of Commission, 1 74. 207, 
209. 210. 

New York State Senate, resolutions, 
1, 2. 

New York, western, described, 75. 

Niagara, flagship American fleet, battle 
of Lake Erie, references to, 110, 1 I 5, 
122, 134; building of, 121 ; in bat- 
tle of Lake Erie. 124, 125; station 
in battle, 1 36, 1 37; position changed, 
137, 138; movements in battle, 140, 
142, 153: officers and crew, 236, 
237, 238, 246, 247; killed in battle, 
248; wounded in battle, 250. 

Niagara, flagship, American fleet. Lake 
Erie. Perry's Victory Centenary, rais- 
ing and restoration, 8, 9; planning 
trip around the lakes, 9; schedule of 



Index 



303 



visits to lake ports, 10; leaves Erie. 
Pa., 14; escort, 14; arrives in Buf- 
falo, 28; greeting, 28; anchors at 
Buffalo Yacht Club, 28; references 
to, 33, 35. 36, 66, 67, 69, 70, 80; 
departure of, 89, 90 ; women's re- 
ception, 9 1 . 

Niagara Frontier, Buffalo Chapter, 
Daughters of 1812, public meeting, 
Buffalo celebration, 80, 81, 82, 83, 
84. 

Niagara (river), along the historic, 45, 
46, 47, 48. 

NiEHAUs, Charles Henry, design 
for Perry statue in Buffalo selected, 
97; statue accepted, 98. 

Noble, Henry Harmon, appointed 
member of Perry's Victory Centennial 
Commission, 4; resigns, 4; vice- 
president general for New York State, 
Interstate Board, 6. 

North, Mrs. Charles J., presenta- 
tion of American flag. Daughters of 
1812, 81. 

o 

Officers and members. Interstate Board, 
Perry's Victory Centennial Commis- 
sioners, 1 73, 1 74. 

Officers and members, Perry's Victory 
Centennial Commission, State of New 
York, 4, 5, 7, 174, 207. 209, 210. 

Officers and members. Perry's Victory 
Centennial Committee, city of Buf- 
falo, 10, 11, 211, 213. 214. 

Official banquet, Buffalo celebration, 
52-79. 



Ohio, American vessel, Lake Erie. 1 15, 
118; on detached service, I 38, I 39 ; 
officers and crew, 244. 

Opening exercises, Buffalo celebration, 
29. 

Orders in Council (Europe), 60. 

Ormrod, Hon. William L., ap- 
pointed member of Perry's Victory 
Centennial Commission, 4 ; elected 
vice-chairman, 5 ; vice-president gen- 
eral for State of New York, Inter- 
state Board, 6; sails with the naval 
gunboat Hawlf, escorting Perry flag- 
ship Niagara around the lakes, 14; at 
ofiBcial banquet, 79. 

O'Shaughnessy, Martin L., clerk to 
Perry's Victory Centennial Commis- 



Packet, John, Lieutenant, U. S. 
Navy, Lake Erie, sails with American 
fleet, 122; promoted, 123; report 
Commodore Perry, 257. 

Park Band concerts, Buffalo celebration, 
88. 

Parker, Alexander, 93. 

Parsons, Usher, Surgeon, American 
fleet. Lake Erie, 146. 

Parry, Harry, General Agent, N. "\'. 
C. R. R. exhibit, Buffalo celebration. 
90. 

Payne, T. D.. 93. 

Peer, Benjamin L., appointed assist- 
ant chief of publicity. Buffalo cele- 
bration, 5. 



304 



Index 



Pennsylvania, State of. Perry's Victory 
Centennial Commission, 3, 173; re- 
cruits from, 1 22 ; reference to, I 79. 

Perry, James Alexander, accom- 
panies Commodore Perry, 1 29. 

Perry Memorial, Put-in-Bay, adopted, 
7 ; contracts for building, 7 ; cost, 8 ; 
cornerstone laid, I 5 ; New York's con- 
tribution, 96; description, 159-168; 
plaza, 162; stonework, 163, 164; 
interior, 1 65 ; surroundings, 1 66. 

Perry, Oliver Hazard, Commodore, 
American fleet. Lake Erie, 1 ; action. 
New York State Senate, 1,2; letter. 
Governor Tompkins, 2 ; answered by 
Commodore Perry, 3 ; original orders 
exhibited, 13; references to, 32, 33, 
34,57,58,70,71, 73.74,80, 108, 
109, 110, in, 112, 113, 114. 
115, 116; ode to, 37-44; present 
from Captain Barclay, Royal Navy, 
60; family history, 61, 62; life of, 
62, 63, 64; death, 68; burial. 69; 
at Buffalo, 90; takes Buffalo boats to 
Erie, Pa., 118; at Erie, Pa.. 119, 
1 20 ; difficulties encountered, 1 22 ; 
sails with American fleet, 122. 123, 
124; after battle of Lake Erie. 126; 
honored at Buffalo, Albany and New 
York cities, 126; death and burial, 
127; monument in Cleveland, 127; 
tender of services, 128; characteris- 
tics, 1 28 ; ordered to duty on lakes, 
129; at Sackett's Harbor, Buffalo 
and Erie, 129; duties at Erie, 130; 
131; arranges to forward boats at 
leaves for the attack on Fort George, 



Black Rock, 131; at Erie. 132; 
writes Commodore Chauncey, 1 33 ; 
on Lake Erie, 1 34, 1 35 ; at San- 
dusky, Ohio, 135; illness, 136; sum- 
mons commanding officers, 1 36 ; un- 
rolls battle flag and prepares for bat- 
tle, 1 39 ; advances with the Law- 
rence, 141; in battle of Lake Erie, 
142, 143, 147, 148, 153, 158; 
transfers flag to Niagara, 1 48; on the 
Niagara, 149, 150; receives sur- 
render of British officers, 152; fleet, 
181 ; despatches, 183; conduct, 183; 
sketch, Washington Irving, 186; 
thanked by Congress, 231 ; honors, 
232; official reports and despatches, 
253-261 ; at Buffalo, 268; at Erie, 
Pa., 268; transfers boats to Erie. 
269; returns to Buffalo, 270; com- 
plimented by Captain Robert H. 
Barclay, Royal Navy, 282. 

Perry statue, Buffalo, N. Y., descrip- 
tion of, 97, 98; accepted, 98. 

Perry's battle flag, " Don't give up the 
ship," 48, 66. 70, 121, 124, 127. 
148. 157. 

Perry's Victory (see battle of Lake 
Erie), 1; centenary inaugurated, 3; 
States participating, 3 ; action of New 
York State, 3 ; address, Hon. Peter 
A. Porter, 30; references to, 101, 
179, 180. 

Perry's Victory Centennial Commission, 
State of New York. 4. 1 6, 1 74, 207, 
209; officers and members, 209, 210. 

Perry's Victory Centennial Commission- 
ers, Interstate Board, organized, 6 ; 



Index 



305 



meetings, 7, 8, 9 ; personnel, 1 69- 
! 74 ; officers, 171, 1 72 ; committees, 
172, 1 73; commissioners, 173, 174. 
Perry's Victory Centennial Committee, 
city of Buffalo, 1 ; officers and mem- 
bers, 11. 211, 213, 214. 
Pettigrew, John, Lieutenant, U. S. 
Navy, commanding navy yard at 
Black Rock (Buffalo). 115,268. 
Pike, Zebulon, Brigadier General, 

U. S. Army, reference to, 82. 
Pioneer moving, 75. 
Police arrangements, Buffalo celebration. 

95. 
Pomeroy's Tavern, Buffalo, banquet at, 

126. 
Porcupine, American vessel. Lake Erie, 
122, 125; position in battle of Lake 
Erie, 138; officers and crew, 245, 
246. 
Porter, Fort, Buffalo, N. Y., reception 

at, 85, 92. 
Porter, Hon. Peter A., address at 
banquet, Buffalo Yacht Club, 13; 
address at Women's meeting, Buffalo 
celebration, 30 ; reference to, 45 ; ad- 
dress at public meeting. Daughters of 
1812, Buffalo celebration, 80, 81. 
President of the United States, topic of 

address, 72. 
Priscilla. Yacht, Commodore George H. 
Worthington, president-general. 175. 
Principles of nationhood, 202, 203. 
Principles of world peace. 203. 204. 
Prize money for American fleet, battle 
of Lake Erie, 229, 230; for destruc- 
20 



tion of British vessel Delroil (at Buf- 
falo), 267. 

Proctor, General, British army, 
136. 277. 

Programme, Buffalo celebration. Perry's 
Victory Centenary, 17-27. 

Publicity department established, Buffalo 
celebration, 5. 

Put-in-Bay, South Bass Island. Lake 
Erie, Perry's fleet at, 7, 33, 65; 
selected for site of Perry Memorial, 
7 ; references to, 1 08, 111, 1 24, 
126; recommended, 135; burials at, 
153. 154, 184, 261, 262. 



Queen Charlotte, British vessel. Lake 
Erie, 35, 66, 68, 118; surrender of, 
125, 151 ; references to, 136, 138, 
152, 280, 281, 282; report of Lieu- 
tenant George Inglis, Royal Navy, 
283. 

R 

Races, Boat, Buffalo celebration, 88. 

Rafferty, Hon. William F., ai>- 
pointed member. Perry's Victory Cen- 
tennial Commission, 4; visits various 
celebrations, 15; at official banquet. 
79. 

Raymond, Rf.v. A. V. V., D. D., ad- 
dress at official banquet, 73; at pub- 
lic meeting. Daughters of 1812, Buf- 
falo celebration, 83. 

Reed, James, clerk to Perry's Victory 
Centennial Commission, 5. 



306 



Index 



Regan. Michael, Superintendent of 
Police, Buffalo, 95. 

Regents, State, at public meeting. 
Daughters of 1812, Buffalo celebra- 
tion, 82, 83. 

Resolutions, New York State, thanks to 
Commodore Perry and the officers 
and men of his fleet, I ; authorizing a 
Perry's Victory Centennial Commis- 
sion, 3. 4, 221, 223. 

Resolutions, obituary, in memory of 
Commissioner Herrick, 289. 

Resolutions, United States Congress. 
231, 232, 267. 

Results of the war of 1812, 61. 

Rewarding the victors, battle of Lak«- 
Erie. 227. 229, 230. 

Rhode Island. State of. Perry Centen- 
nial Commissioners appointed, 3, 1 74 ; 
reference to, 1 09. 

Rich, General G. Barrett, elected 
treasurer. Perry's Victory Centennial 
Committee, Buffalo, N. Y., II. 

Ridpath, John Clark, quoted, 109, 
110. 

Roll, Muster, American fleet. Lake 
Erie, 233-247. 

Roosevelt, Theodore, compares 
armaments, American and British 
fleets. Lake Erie, 123. 

Ross, Mrs. William H., reminiscences 
of 1812. Women's meeting, Buffalo 
celebration, 49, 50. 

RozEwsKi, Michael, messenger to 
Perry's Victory Centennial Commis- 
sion. 5. 



Sailors, American, impressment of, 59, 
60. 

Sanborn, Hon. John P., Rhode 
Island Commission, 172, 173; ad- 
dress at banquet, Buffalo Yacht Club, 
13. 

Sandusky, Ohio, celebration dates, 1 ; 
reference to, 1 07 ; population, I 87. 

Sayles, John, remarks, meeting of 
colored people, Buffalo celebration, 
93. 

Scajaquada creek ship yard. Black 
Rock (Buffalo), N. Y.. 13, 114, 
115, 116, 117, 268. 

ScATCHERD. JOHN N.. toastmaster at 
official banquet. 52. 57. 59. 

Schifferdeck'er, Hon. Jacob, ap- 
pointed member of Perry's Victory 
Centennial Commission, 4 ; member of 
executive committee, 5 ; visits various 
celebrations, 15; at official banquet, 
79. 

ScHOENECK, Hon. Edward, Lieuten- 
ant-Governor, ex-ofiicio member of 
Perry's Victory Centennial Commis- 
sion, 5. 

Scorpion, American vessel. Lake Erie, 
66, I 32 ; at battle of Lake Erie, 124. 
138, 141; officers and crew. 241. 
242 ; killed in battle, 248. 

ScoTT, WiNFIELD, Colonel, U. S. 
Army, at Buffalo, 266; attack on 
Fort George, 268. 

Seaton, Mrs. Catharine, presented 
with medal, 93. 



Index 



307 



Senat, George, Midshipman, U. S. 
Navy, Lcike Erie, sails with American 
fleet, 122. 

Senate, State of New York, Perry's Vic- 
lory resolutions, 1 . 

Severance, Frank H., address at 
banquet, Buffalo Yacht Club, 13; 
account battle of Lake Erie, 105, 
113-127. 

Seymour, J. A., Jr., Architect, Perry 
Memorial, Put-in-Bay, 7. 

Simon, William, appointed member of 
Perry's Victory Centennial Commis- 
sion, 4 ; elected treasurer, 5 ; vice- 
president general. State of New York, 
Interstate Board, 6; at meeting of 
Interstate Board, Washington. D. C, 
7 ; at official banquet, 79. 

SiSSON, Hon. A. E., Pennsylvania 
Commission, treasurer-general. Inter- 
state Board, 6, 8; reports cost of 
Perry Memorial, Put-in-Bay, 96. 

Sloan, Captain James, pilot for Lieu- 
tenant Jesse D. Elliott, Buffalo, 266. 

Smith, Mrs. Charles H., at public 
meeting. Daughters of 1812, Buffalo 
celebration, 82. 

Speakers' table at official banquet, 79. 

Spectacular features, Buffalo celebration, 
84, 85. 

Stern, Hon. William J., Mayor of 
Erie. Pa., at banquet. Buffalo Yacht 
Club. 13. 

Stevens. Thomas Holdup. Lieuten- 
ant, U. S. Navy, Lake Erie (see 
Lieutenant Thomas Holdup.) 



Stewart, Mrs. Margaret Foster, 
work on Perry's battle flag, 121. 

Stewart, Thomas, work in house. 
Erie. Pa.. 121. 

Stockmar, Joseph, clerk lo Perry's 
Victory Centennial Commission, 5. 

Stokoe, Thomas, Lieutenant, British 
fleet. Lake Erie, 1 46 ; report ol 
Captain Robert H. Barclay, Royal 
Navy, 280. 

St. Philip's Church, Buffalo. Men'-. 
Club, Buffalo celebration, 93. 

Street Decorations, Buffalo celebration, 
88, 89. 

SwARTWOUT, Augustus, Midship- 
man, U. S. Navy, Lake Erie, report 
of Commodore Perry, 257. 



Taft, Hon. William H., former 
president, at Put-in-Bay. 15. 

Tate. Mont, 93. 

Taylor, William V., Sailing Master. 
U. S. Navy, Lake Erie, account bat- 
tle of Lake Erie, 105; leaves New- 
port, 129; arrives at Erie. 130; letter 
to brother, 1 56; sketch of, 156. 157; 
report Commodore Perry. 257. 

Tecumseh, Indian chieftain, reference.^ 
to, 57, 58. 

Territory affected by battle of Lake 
Erie.'l, 57. 58. 

Thames, battle of the, 58. 

Tigress, American vessel, Lake Erie. 
122, 125; position in battle of Lake 
Erie. 138; officers and crew, 244. 
245. 



308 



Index 



Toledo, Ohio, celebration dates, 10; 

reference to. 107 ; population, 187. 
Tompkins, Daniel D., Governor of 

New York, letter to Gjmmodore 

Perry, 2; answered, 3. 
ToziER, Mrs. Charles Burt, at 

public meeting Daughters of 1812, 

Buffalo celebration, 83. 
Trippe, American vessel. Lake Erie, 

115, 118, 122, 123, 124; position 

in battle of Lake Erie, 1 38, 151; 

officers and crew, 243, 244 ; wounded 

in battle, 25 1 . 
Turner, Daniel, Lieutenant, U. S. 

Navy, Lake Erie, sails with American 

fleet, 122; in battle of Lake Erie, 

147, 158; report of Commodore 

Perry. 257. 
Tuscarora, United States revenue cutter, 

detailed to escort Perry flagship A^i- 

agara around the lakes, 1 4 
Twentieth Century Club, reception, Buf- 
falo celebration, 9 1 . 

u 

United Spanish War Veterans, reference 
to, 16; in military parade, Buffalo 
celebration, 85 ; tenth national en- 
campment, 285, 287, 288. 

United States, declares war, 1 98. 

United States Perry's Victory Centen- 
nial Commissioners, 3, 173. 

V 

VeRBECK, Guido, Captain, N. G. 
N. Y.. in military parade. Buffalo 
celebration, 85. 



w 

Wagner, Hon. Robert F., Lieuten- 
ant-Governor, ex-officio, member of 
Perry's Victory Centennial Commis- 
sion, 5. 
War. reactions of, 198, 199. 
Ward, Hamilton, Past National com- 
mander, U. S. W. V. report, 285. 
287, 288. 
War of 1812, remarks upon, 189, 190, 
191, 192; lessons of, 196; what lay 
behind, 196; declared by United 
States. 198; settlement of. 198; a 
hundred years after, 201. 
Watterson, Colonel Henry. Ken- 
tucky Commission, elected first vice- 
president general. Interstate Board. 
Perry's Victory Centennial Commis- 
sioners, 6; address quoted, 48; ac- 
count battle of Lake Erie, 105, 107- 
112. 
" We have met the enemy and they are 
ours," message of Commodore Perry 
to Major General William Henry 
Harrison, 35, 110, 127, 152, 155, 
182, 183, 255, 260. 
Weber, Henry J., clerk to Perry's 

Victory Centennial Commission, 5. 
Welch, General Samuel M.. 
Grand Marshal, military parade. 
Buffalo celebration, 84. 
Whitehead, Hon. John M., Wis- 
consin Commission, address at Put-in- 
Bay, 177-192. 
WiLTSiE. Charles H., appointed 
member of Perry's Victory Centen- 
nial Commission, 4. 



Index 



309 



Wisconsin, State of. Perry's Victory 
Centennial Commissioners appointed, 
3, 174; references to, 179. 
WiLLERT, Charles L., address at 
meeting of colored people, Buffalo 
celebration, 95. 
Williams, Anthony, at battle of 

Lake Erie, 93. 
Wilson, William, Colonel, 3rd Regi- 
ment, Infantry, N. G. N. Y., in mili- 
tary parade, Buffalo celebration, 85. 
Wolf, Charles J., Colonel, 74th 
Regiment Infantry, N. G. N. Y., in 
military parade, Buffalo celebration, 
85. 
Wolverine, naval gunboat, escorts Perry 
flagship Niagara around the lakes, 1 4. 
Women's committee, Buffalo celebration, 
organized, 1 2 ; entertains on arrival of 
Perry flagship Niagara, 28; meeting 
at Women's Union, Buffalo celebra- 
tion, 30; work of, 91 ; various enter- 
tainments. 91, 92, 93; officers and 
members, 215. 217.218, 219. 
World peace, principles of, 203, 204. 



Worthington, Commodore Geo. 
H., Ohio Commission, elected presi- 
dent-general. Interstate Board, Perry's 
Victory Centennial Commissioners, 6; 
at official banquet, 79. 

Wounded at the battle of Lake Erie. 
248. 249. 



Yacht Club, Buffalo, Perry's Victory 
Centennial banquet, 1 3 ; greetings to 
the Niagara. 28. 

Yaniic, naval gunboat, escorts Perry 
flagship Niagara around the lakes 1 4. 

Yarnall, John J., Lieutenant, U. S. 
Navy, Lake Erie, assumes command 
of the Laurence, battle of Lake Erie, 
67, 148; promoted, 123; wounded 
in the battle, 143; report Commodore 
Perry, 257. 

York (Toronto), Canada, reference to. 
116. 

Younce, Captain, U. S. Army, as- 
sists in moving Buffalo boats, 1 1 7, 
269. 



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